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MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE 


OF  THE 


RIGHT  REVEREND 


JOHJV  HEJVRY  HOB  ART,  D.D. 

BI8H0P    OF    THE    PKOTESTANT    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH 
IN    THE    STATE    OF   NEW-YORK. 


BY  THE 


REV.  WILLIAM  BERRIAN,  D.  D. 

RECTOR  OF  TRINITY  CHURCH,  NEW-YORK. 


NEW- YORK: 

PUBLISHED    BY   SWORDS,    STANFORD,   AND   CO. 
No.  152  Broadway. 

1833. 


•^A-r^,   !CfW& 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1833,  by  William 
Beruian,  in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the 
Southern  District  of  New-York. 


EDWARD  J.  S WORDS,    PRINTER, 
No.  152  Broadway. 


ADVERTLSEMENr 


The  great  delay  in  the  appearance  of  this  Memoir  lias 
been  occasioned  by  circnmstances  which  were  entirely 
beyond  the  control  of  the  writer.  Shortly  after  he  had 
been  requested  to  prepare  it,  he  wrote  to  a  number  of  the 
early  friends  of  Bishop  Hobart  for  information  in  regard 
to  that  part  of  his  life  with  which  he  himself  was  personally 
unacquainted.  A  few  promptly  and  cheerfully  complied 
with  his  request.  But  from  the  inexcusable  neglect  of 
some,  and  the  unaccountable  tardiness  of  others,  a  year 
and  a  half  passed  away  before  materials  enough  were 
procured  to  form  a  connected  narrative.  At  length,  in  the 
month  of  July,  last  summer,  it  was  commenced,  amidst  an 
unexampled  pressure  of  parochial  duties,  during  the  pre- 
valence of  a  raging  epidemic,  and  prosecuted  since  amidst 
all  the  ordinary  distractions  and  labours  of  an  ardous  and 
responsible  station. 

New-York,  May,  1833. 


ERRATA. 

Page  ]36,  line  9,  for  "  wliould"  read  would. 
200,    . .    3,  for  "  here"  read  her. 
30G,    . .  11,  for  "  and"  read  or. 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE 


or   THE 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART,  D.  D. 


In  attempting  to  sketch  the  life  and  character  of 
the  distinguished  subject  of  this  Memoir,  it  is  im- 
possible to  avoid  a  feeling  of  embarrassment,  both 
from  the  difficulty  of  the  task  in  itself,  and  from 
the   apprehension   that  it   may  not  represent   him 
according  to  the  just  measure  of  his  fame.     The 
close  and  intimate  relation  of  the  writer  to  him, 
while  it  affords  great  advantages  for  the  delineation 
of  those   peculiarities   in   his   mind,   feelings,   and 
habits  which  may  have  escaped  more  general  ob- 
servation,  at  the  same  time  brings  the  object  too 
near  for  the  strong  lights  and  bold  relief  in  which 
he  appeared  to  the  world  at  large.     There  he  was 
viewed  in  the  practical  wisdom  collected  from  all 
his  experience,  in  the  efforts  of  an  acute  and  power- 
ful mind  invigorated  and  sharpened   by  continual 
exercise,  in  the  great  and  glorious  results  of  a  life 
spent  entirely  in  the   laudable   ambition  of  doing 
good.     To  those  who  were  honoured  by  his  confi- 
dence and  friendship,  he  appeared  in  the  simplicity 
and  frankness  of  a  child — there  was  not  the  slightest 

1 


Z  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

disguise.     They  saw  the  progress  of  that  practical 
wisdom  which,  distinguishing  him  in  early  life,  at 
length  gave  him  such  a  superiority  over  other  men. 
They  saw  the  workings  of  that  mind  which,  some- 
times wavering  from  misgivings  and  distrust,  finally 
acted    from    confidence   in    itself.     They   saw   the 
process  by  which,  with  the  aid  of  things  both  im- 
portant and  trifling,  he  arrived  at  tlie  most  noble 
ends.    Observing  him,  therefore,  in  the  whole  com- 
pound of  his  character,  and  in  all  the  various  aspects 
of  his  busy  life,  adorned  with  the  brightest  perfec- 
tions, yet  shaded  by  infirmities,  errors,  and  defects, 
they  looked  upon  him  as  a  great  and  extraordinary 
man,  but  not  with  such  an  unqualified  admiration 
as   those  who  only   witnessed   his   beneficent  and 
unwearied    labours,   and   the   unexampled   success 
with  which  they  were  accompanied.     It  was,  how- 
ever, his  peculiar  felicity  and  glory  to  retain  the 
greatest   ascendency  over  those  to  whom  he  was 
best  known,  and,  even  where  they  might  not  be  as 
much   dazzled  as  others  by  the   splendour  of  his 
talents,  to  have  the  highest  place  in  their  aff'ections. 
There  is  another  difficulty  in  regard  to  his  bio- 
o-raphy,  which  is  common  to  that  of  most  clergymen 
who  are  not  cast  on  troublesome  times.     His  life 
has  none  of  the  romantic  interest  nor  strange  vicis- 
situdes which   so   frequently  mark   the   course   of 
illustrious  men.     The  early  period  of  it  was  quiet 
and   peaceful,   attended  by  none  of  the  struggles 
with  which  a  gifted  and  ambitious  mind  so  often 
makes  its  way  to  eminence.     Even  then,  however, 
there  was  observed  in  him  an  ardour  of  tempera- 
ment, a  depth  of  feeling,  a  restlessness  of  disposi- 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOIJAIM'.  8 

tion,  an  impatience  of  case,  a  perseverance  of  pur- 
pose,  a  moral  courage,  which,  if  Providence  had 
thrown  him  into  some  other  course,  would  probably 
have  given  to  his  life  all  the  interest  of  romance. 
But  he   was    reserved    for    higher    purposes    tlian 
heroes  or  statesmen  are  destined  to  achieve.     The 
qualities  which  were  fitted  for  the  admiration  of  the 
world,  in  meekness  and  simplicity  of  heart  he  de- 
voted to  the   glory   of  God.      With   a  passionate 
fondness  for  the  beauties  of  nature  and  rural  pur- 
suits, it  was  liis  earliest  plan  to  [)ass   his   days  in 
the  calm  and  unambitious  occupations  of  a  country 
clergyman's  life,  and  to  the  last  he  sighed  for  re- 
tirement and   peace.     But    though    such   was   the 
natural  bent  of  his  inclination,  the  sphere  was  too 
narrow  for  the  exertions  of  his  ardent  and  active 
mind.     He  was  soon  drawn  from  his  retreat,  and 
entering  with  characteristic  vivacity  and  zeal  upon 
the  duties  of  his  new  situation,  he  at  once  attracted 
general  notice,  acquired  an  influence  in  the  councils 
of  the  Church  beyond  his  years,  and  at  a  very  early 
period  was  called  to  direct  them  in  tliat  high  office, 
which  he  so  pre-eminently  honoured  and  adorned. 
From  that  time  his  life  was  full;  but  it  was  for  the 
most  part  spent  in  an  uniform  succession  of  labours, 
differing  only  from  year  to  year  in  the  greater  ex- 
tent to  which  they  were  carried,  and  the  increasino- 
promptitude   and  diligence  with  which  they  were 
performed.     There  were  but  few  of  those  incidents 
in  it  which   amuse  the   general  reader,   though    it 
abounded   with   circumstances   which   interest  the 
Christian  and  divine.     In  the  uiaintenance  of  the 
peculiar  and  distinctive  principles  of  the  Church  of 


4 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 


which  God  had  made  him  an  overseer,  and  in  the 
defence  of  a  policy  which  in  some  instances  brought 
upon  him  an  unmeasured  degree  of  odium,  but 
which  more  regarded  as  his  glory  and  his  crown, 
he  was  almost  continually  involved  in  controversies, 
upon  which  he  never  hesitated  to  enter,  and  from 
which  he  generally  retired  with  success.  The  no- 
tice of  these  questions,  and  a  fair  representation  of 
his  views  on  all  prominent  points,  will  be  considered 
essential  to  the  vindication  of  his  principles  as  a 
zealous  defender  of  the  truth,  and  to  the  honour 
which  is  due  to  his  character  as  a  Christian,  whose 
life  and  whose  death  were  "precious  in  the  sight  of 
the  Lord."  These  discussions — which,  for  the  most 
part,  were  unsought,  though  never  declined — were 
often  mixed  up  with  personal  considerations,  con- 
necting them  with  the  memory  of  the  dead  and  the 
feelings  of  the  living.  On  account  of  the  respect, 
therefore,  which  is  due  to  both,  the  writer  of  the 
Memoir  looks  forward  to  this  part  of  his  work  with 
a  trembling  solicitude.  His  anxiety  is  also  in- 
creased by  the  unaffected  persuasion,  that  neither 
the  habits  of  his  life,  nor  the  daily  and  pressing 
calls  of  his  station,  will  enable  him  to  do  that 
justice  to  the  subject  which  its  delicacy  and  im- 
portance demand.  But  in  a  spirit  of  charity,  and 
at  the  same  time  with  a  sacred  and  awful  regard 
to  what  he  conscientiously  deems  the  interests  of 
truth,  he  will  employ  that  ability  in  the  work  which 
God  has  given  him,  most  earnestly  hoping  and 
praying  that  it  may  be  to  the  honour  of  both. 

John  Henry  Hobart,   the  second  son  of  Enoch 
and  Hannah  Hobart,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  on 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  UENUY  HO!} ART.  5 

the  14th   day  of  September,  1775.     His   paternal 
ancestors  were  originally  from  the  county  of  Nor- 
folk, in  England.    In  the  reign  of  Charles  I.,  urged 
either  by  the  spirit  of  enterprise  so  common  at  that 
period,  or  by  religious  considerations,  they  removed 
from  their  native   country  to  Massachusetts   Bay. 
It  appears   from  the  early  history  of  the  town  of 
Hingham,    that   his   grandfather,    Joshua    Hobart, 
took  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  affairs  of  that  infant 
settlement.     The  Rev.  Peter  Hobart,  a  Presbyte- 
rian  divine,  who  was  the  brother  of  Joshua,   and 
who  had  received  his  education  at  the  University 
of  Cambridge,  was  employed  as  a  minister  of  the 
Gospel  for  several  years  at  home.    "  His  parents, 
brothers,   and   sisters   had,   to   his  great  affliction, 
embarked    for   New-England.      Some   time    after, 
owing  to   the   persecutions    in    England,    he   also 
resolved  to  move  to  New-England.     Accordino-ly, 
in  the  summer  of  1635,  he  embarked  with  his  wife 
and  four  children,  and  after  a  tedious  voyage,  and 
constant   sickness,   he   arrived  at  Ciiarlcstown  on 
the  eighth  of  June,  where  he  found  his  relations, 
who  had  safely  arrived  before  him.     Several  towns 
nq\v  addressed  him  to  become  their  minister;  but 
he  chose,  with  his  fatlier's  family  and  some  other 
Christians,  to  form  a  new  plantation,  which  they 
called  *  Hingham.'     There  gathering  a  congrega- 
tion, he  continued  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  his 
duties  for  about  forty-three   years."*     He  was  an 
indefatigable  student.     His  acquirements  were  va- 


*  Extracted  from  the  parish  record   in  Hingham,  kept  bv  the 
Rev.  Peter  Hobart. 


6  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

rious  and  extensive.  His  sermons  were  well  stu- 
died, and,  independent  in  his  own  feelings,  they 
partook  of  the  vigour  and  strength  of  his  character. 
Five  of  his  sons  were  educated  at  Harvard  Univer- 
sity. Four  of  them  embraced  his  own  profession, 
and  one*  attained  to  such  a  degree  of  eminence, 
as  to  be  held,  by  the  pious  and  learned,  in  peculiar 
veneration  and  esteem,  as  a  scholar,  gentleman, 
and  Christian. 

The  father  of  the  subject  of  this  Memoir,  though 
less  extensively  known  than  some  of  the  members 
of  his  family,  sustained,  however,  the  respectability 
of  his  name  by  his  uprightness,  piety,  and  worth. 
He  married  an  estimable  woman,  of  a  family  of  the 
name  of  Pratt,  who,  long  surviving  him,  fulfilled 
the  double  duties  towards  her  children  which  de- 
volved upon  her,  with  the  prudence  of  a  father's 
judgment  and  the  tenderness  of  a  mother's  love. 
Left  with  a  small  competency  in  troublesome  times, 
she  was  enabled  to  bring  them  up  in  a  way  which 
was  gratifying  to  maternal  pride,  and,  by  a  rigid 
economy  and  great  self-denial,  to  give  to  onef  of 
them  that  liberal  education  which,  in  its  first-fruits 
fulfilling  her  hopes,  repaid  her,  during  her  own 
life,  for  all  her  sacrifices,  and  which  afterwards, 
had  that  life  been  long  enough,  would  have  recom- 
pensed her  an  hundred  fold. 

It  is  but  seldom  the  case,  in  regard  to  the  most 
eminent  among  men,  that  childhood  presents  much 
that  is  worthy  of  notice  at  the  time,  and  it  is  still 
more  rare  that  there  should  be  any  thing  so  strik- 

*  Dr.  Nchcmiah  Hobart.  f  John  Henry  Hobart. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HO  BART.  7 

ing  as  to  be  recollected  in   after-life.     The  fond 
anticipations  of  friends,  indeed,  often  attach  a  great 
degree  of  importance  to  circumstances  which  are 
trifling  in  themselves,  but  which  are  regarded  as 
indications  of  future   greatness.     Even   these   are 
apt  to  be  forgotten  by  the  most  partial,  unless  they 
happen  to  correspond  with  the  event.     In  respect 
to  Mr.  Hobart,  it  is  known  that  the  most  flattering 
expectations    were    indulged    by  those  who  were 
near  to  him ;  that  some  of  them  lived  to  witness 
his   growing   reputation;  that   others  were  spared 
long  enough  to  behold   the  fulfilment  of  all  their 
wishes: — but  it  appears  that  these  things  were  re- 
served for  the  secret  and  cherished  enjoyment  of 
their  own  hearts — for  the  free  communications  of 
the  domestic  circle,  or  the  correspondence  of  fiimily 
friends.     I  have  learned  from  one  who  knew  him 
in   youth,  and  who  was  intimate  with  his   family, 
that  his  deportment,  conversations,  opinions,  and 
habits  were  the  frequent   and   favourite   theme  of 
their  discourse,  and  that  they  often  dwelt  with  de- 
light on  those  incidents  which  shadowed  out  the 
very  character  that  he  finally  established.     But  the 
relatives   who   were   his   elders   or  cotemporaries, 
are   all   dead   and   gone:   no  note  is  left  of  those 
circumstances  on  which  they  so  fondly  dwelt;  and 
in  the  lapse  of  more  than  forty  years,  the  very  cor- 
respondence which  they  kept  up  with  him  and  each 
other,  is,  for  the  most  part,  either  lost  or  destroyed. 
This  is  peculiarly  to  be  regretted  in  regard  to  his 
correspondence  with  a  sister,  of  whom  he  was  often 
heard  to  speak  with  admiration,  as  a  person  of  a 
highly  gifted  mind,  and  whom  he  loved  with  more 


8  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

than  a  brother's  tenderness.  The  only  notices., 
therefore,  which  can  be  gathered  of  his  childhood 
and  youth,  are  from  those  who  were  more  remotely 
connected  with  him,  and  which  can  hardly  be  ex- 
pected to  have  the  individuality  and  interest  which 
belong  to  the  records  of  domestic  affection. 

"  He  received  his  first  instruction  in  English  in 
the  school  of  a  Mr.  Leslie,  who  was  considered  a 
respectable  teacher,  and  who  was  deservedly  held 
in  esteem;  but  he  often  lamented  to  one  of  his 
earliest  friends,*  that  in  consequence  of  the  dis- 
tance of  the  school  from  his  residence,  and  from 
the  strictness  observed  in  the  appointed  hours,  he 
was  obliged  to  hasten  so  fast  from  his  meals,  as  to 
lay  the  foundation  of  that  dyspeptic  complaint  with 
which  he  was  afflicted  during  the  whole  of  his  suc- 
ceeding life."  In  his  ninth  year  he  commenced  the 
study  of  Latin  in  the  Episcopal  Academy,  the  charge 
of  which,  soon  after  his  admission,  was  committed 
to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Andrews.  The  eminent  qualifica- 
tions and  strongly  marked  character  of  the  teacher 
are  deemed  worthy  of  a  passing  notice,  inasmuch 
as  they  are  thought  in  some  measure  to  have  given 
a  peculiar  impress  to  the  mind  and  character  of 
his  distinguished  pupil.  It  cannot  be  better  done 
than  by  introducing  the  lively  and  spirited  sketch 
of  one  of  Mr.  Hobart's  companions  in  boyhood 
and  youth,  who  has  himself  risen  to  an  honourable 
distinction  in  another  profession  rf  "  I  think  Master 
Hobart  and  myself  were  among  the  earliest  pupils 

*  The  Right  Rev.  Dr.  White. 

t  William  Meredith,  Esq.  of  the  Pliiladelpliia  bar. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENllY  HOBAiJT.  9 

of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Andrews,  Principal  of  the  Academy 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  this  city, 
and  afterwards  successively  Vice-Provost  and  Pro- 
vost of  our  University.  We  were  known  to  each 
other  sooner,  from  our  parents  residing  in  the 
same  vicinity,  and  being  conducted  by  them  to  the 
same  ancient  and  venerable  church,*  and  from 
being  often  companions  in  what  has  been  called 
the  street  education  of  our  community  of  little  ones. 
We  were  then,  however,  very  children,  and  so 
thought  and  acted. 

"  The  Academy  was  first  opened  early  in  1784. 
We  entered  it  in  different  forms;  he  in  the  fifth  or 
sixth,  and  I  in  the  second  or  third.  His  first  studies 
were  Latin  grammar,  SGntentise  Pueriles,  &c.;  so 
that  he  started  ex  limine. 

"  My  school-fellow  could  have  hardly  set  out 
under  greater  advantages,  or  under  better  auspices. 
Dr.  Andrews  was  known  to  be  one  of  the  ripest 
classical  scholars  in  the  country.  He  had  great 
skill  and  experience  in  teaching,  and  never  spared 
himself  in  the  performance  of  duty:  besides,  in  his 
very  manners  and  appearance  there  was  that  which 
*  bespoke  a  man;'  all  that  conciliates  affection  and 
esteem,  and  challenges  profound  respect.  He  was 
a  Churchman  by  education  and  conviction,  of  ex- 
alted piety,  and  of  that  loftiness  of  character  which 
was  above  the  reach  of  the  grovelling  or  crafty. 
No  man  was  at  a  loss  to  infer  his  motives  or  pur- 
poses, either  from  his  speech  or  actions.  He  was 
consistent,  open,  and  direct;  for  he  was  never  of 

*  Christ  Church. 
2 


10  MEIMOER  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

that  school  of  time-serving  philosophers,  with  whom 
policy  is  of  more  worth  than  sincerity  and  truth. 
His  passions  and  affections  were  powerful  and  ar- 
dent, and  appeared  the  more  so,  as  the  constitu- 
tional temperament  of  his  body  was  nervous;  but 
he  governed  them  well,  observing  the  apostle's 
precept,  *  Be  ye  angry  and  sin  not.'  Malice  and 
vindictiveness  were  unknown  to  him,  and  arrogance 
was  contrary  to  his  nature.  In  short,  a  more  frank, 
honourable,  and  upright  man,  or  a  better  specimen 
of  a  Christian  gentleman,  has  never  fallen  within 
the  range  of  my  observation.  In  the  early  history 
of  the  American  Church,  it  is  well  known  that  he 
was  among  the  most  able,  sound,  and  zealous  of 
her  sons."        %, 

The  resemblance,  in  many  respects,  of  the  pupil 
to  the  master,  when  his  mind  was  more  fully  deve- 
loped and  his  character  thoroughly  formed,  is  re- 
markably striking.  They  were  alike  in  candour, 
opermess,  and  honesty  of  purpose — in  their  winning 
and  conciliatory  manners,  in  their  warm  and  gene- 
rous feelings,  in  the  elevation  of  their  sentiments 
and  views,  in  their  faithful  and  persevering  industry, 
in  their  deep  and  unaffected  piety,  in  their  devoted 
attachment  to  the  Church  at  whose  altar  they  mi- 
nistered. Such  an  example,  for  several  years,  be- 
fore the  eyes  of  one  whose  heart  was  peculiarly 
susceptible,  and  whose  judgment,  even  in  youth, 
had  almost  the  penetration  and  vigour  of  manhood, 
may  easily  be  supposed  to  have  exerted  a  powerful 
influence  over  him,  and  more  especially  as  the 
respect  whicii  he  entertained  for  his  teacher  was 
united  with  affection. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOB  ART.  11 

"  He  continued  at  the  Academy,"  according  to 
the  account  of  the  same  companion  and  friend, 
"until  late  in  1788.  Durin^  the  last  year  or  ei"-h- 
teen  months,  the  upper  classes,  including  his  and 
that  to  which  I  belonged,  were  separated  from  the 
mass  of  the  school,  and  placed  in  one  room:  this 
brought  us  nearer  together,  increased  our  intimacy, 
and  gave  me  a  better  opportunity  of  remark.  '  La- 
bor  vincit  ojnnicC  was  one  of  his  earliest  lessons 
and  his  ruling  sentiment.  His  improvement  was 
marked  accordingly.  His  class-mates  were  all,  I 
believe,  his  seniors;  but  he  soon  gained,  and  kept, 
during  his  whole  course,  the  enviable  distinction  of 
being  head  in  all  their  studies.  He  was  often 
honoured  by  the  open  approbation  of  tlie  Principal, 
and  his  example  commended  to  imitation.  The 
trustees,  too,  at  the  stated  examinations,  were  libe- 
ral of  encomium,  and  the  popular  voice  of  the  scliool 
echoed  their  praise." 

The  following  notices  from  the  same  source^ 
though  scarcely  comporting  with  the  respect  and 
dignity  which  are  now  universally  associated  with 
his  name,  are  thought  worthy  of  insertion,  because 
they  serve  to  illustrate  that  fearlessness  and  intre- 
pidity for  which  he  was  remarkable  through  the 
whole  course  of  his  life  :■ — 

"  Among  boys,  rank  is  generally  conceded  more 
to  bodily  than  intellectual  power.  It  was  less  the 
case,  in  regard  to  him,  than  usual.  There  were 
few  of  his  years  who  were  not  taller  and  more 
robust  than  he,  but  it  is  true,  he  was  active,  mus- 
cular, and  well-set,  and  what  was  more  than  all 
these,  he  was  of  approved  courage :  hence  he  was 


1'2  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

looked  upon  as  a  combatant  to  be  respected,  if  not 
to  be  feared.  Besides,  he  was  ever  anxious  to  have 
his  quarrel  just;  and  in  our  little  squabbles  on  the 
play-ground,  and  more  serious  rencounters,  we  often 
heard  him  maintaining  its  justice  by  impassioned 
harangues,  which,  in  vehemence,  might  have  well 
suited  one  of  Homer's  heroes.  The  singularity  of 
these  exercises,  whether  they  convinced  or  not, 
amused  us,  and  often  made  strife  and  anger  give 
place  to  mirth  and  good  humour:  the  parley  at 
least  afforded  time  for  cooling  and  diversion  from 
the  cause  of  irritation;  but  if  the  onset  were  once 
made,  I  cannot  remember  an  instance  in  which  our 
young  friend  turned  his  back  upon  the  foe,  whether 
he  was  destined  at  last  to  be  crowned  victor,  or  to 
yield  in  defeat. 

"There  was  also  a  manly  robustness  of  intellect 
seldom  seen  in  boyhood,  perseverance  which  a 
feeble  discerner  might  call  obstinacy,  a  high  sense 
of  honour,  and  an  independence  of  spirit  and  action 
which  only  humbled  itself  before  lawful  authority. 
He  was  as  valiant  as  Caesar.  He  set  great  value 
upon  reason  and  justice,  and  thinking  they  ever 
sJiould  prevail,  he  always  seemed  to  believe  they 
icould  prevail,  if  properly  enforced. 

"  One  instance,  and  but  one,  is  recollected,  in 
which  he  was  the  subject  of  corporal  chastisement 
in  the  Academy.  It  was  inflicted  by  a  Mr.  Ewart, 
a  tutor,  who  was  an  exceeding  good  scholar,  but  a 
most  unamiable  man.  There  had  been  some  dis- 
orderly conduct,  and  Hobart  was  charged  as  being 
a  party  to  it.  He  replied  with  coolness  and  re- 
spectfulness, '  I  had  nothing  to  do  with  it.'     Such 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  13 

was  the  fact.  *  Who  made  the  noise  then  V  in- 
quired the  angry  tutor.  '  I  did  not,'  answered  the 
accused.  Punishment  followed  for  his  refusal  to 
inculpate  others.  There  was  profound  silence ;  he 
submitted ;  and  I  remember  the  stateliness  with 
which  he  returned  to  his  place,  while  a  buzz  of 
applause  sounded  through  the  room.  The  triumph 
was  his,  and  the  defeat  was  Ewart's,  who  was 
shortly  after  dismissed. 

"  His  powers  as  a  declaimer  were  considered  on 
all  hands  as  very  remarkable;  yet  in  this  he  would 
be  his  own  teacher,  and  have  his  own  way,  which 
was  somewhat  peculiar.  One  of  his  favourite  pieces 
was  the  popular  speech  of  Cassius,  on  the  occasion 
of  the  murder  of  Julius  Csesar.  He  had  studied  it 
well,  and  gave  it  with  admirable  effect;  but  there 
is  one  line  in  which,  though  never  failing  to  pro- 
duce ill-timed  smiles,  and  sometimes  laughter, 
among  the  other  dramatis  persona,  he  ever  per- 
sisted in  perpetrating  the  same  ludicrous  fault." 
This  turn  for  elocution  was  not  only  striking  to  his 
youthful  companions,  but  was  also  noticed  with 
admiration  by  those  whose  judgment  was  chastened 
by  sobriety  and  taste.  Bishop  White,  who  was  a 
trustee  of  the  Academy,  and  was  always  present  at 
the  examinations,  unites  in  the  commendation  of 
this  talent,  as  well  as  in  the  testimony  to  his  dili- 
gence and  proficiency  in  every  other  branch  of  his 
studies.  The  same  honourable  memorial  is  pre- 
served in  the  records  of  the  institution,  which  still 
remain. 

He  was  naturally  of  a  quick  and  ardent  temper; 
but  it  was  observed  at  an  early  period,  that  this 


14 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 


was  brought  under  better  discipline  with  the  ad- 
vance of  his  mind,  and  that  he  was  then,  as  ever 
after,  generous  and  forgiving.  He  was  remarkably 
free  from  the  jealousy  which  torments  the  young, 
who  are  ambitious  of  distinction,  and  from  the 
vanity  which  is  so  apt  to  follow  its  attainment. 
His  memory  was  singularly  retentive  and  exact; 
his  imagination  sufficiently  vivid,  but  surpassed  by 
an  active  and  powerful  judgment;  his  industry  un- 
tiring; his  character  full  of  energy  and  force.  Thus 
he  appeared  to  the  companions  of  his  studies  and 
sports  in  boyhood  and  youth:  he  mingled  in  their 
amusements  with  cheerfulness  and  freedom,  at- 
tracting their  regard  by  his  sociability  and  kind- 
ness, but  at  the  same  time  avoiding,  in  a  remark- 
able degree,  both  in  conduct  and  language,  the 
faults  which  are  so  common  at  that  age,  and  pre- 
serving great  purity  of  mind  and  manners.  Without 
being  austere  or  uncharitable  towards  the  ftiilings 
of  others,  he  had  an  utter  abhorrence  of  every 
thing  that  was  mean,  deceitful,  base,  or  vicious; 
but  his  amiable  dispositions,  his  sense  of  filial  duty, 
his  fraternal  love,  his  social  feelings,  were  very 
imperfectly  known,  except  where  they  were  freely 
exercised  in  the  bosom  of  his  family,  and  among 
his  chosen  and  familiar  friends. 

A  remark  which  was  made  of  him  at  a  later 
period,  by  one  who  was  intimately  acquainted  with 
him  for  nearly  forty  years,  "  that  he  had  in  as  high 
a  degree  as  any  person  whom  he  ever  knew,  the 
happy  talent  of  attracting  friends  around  him,  in- 
fluencing their  understandings,  controlling  their 
inclinations,    and    regulating    their  conduct,"   was 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOHAUT.  15 

Strictly  applicable  to  him,  even  from  his  tenderest 
youth.  A  striking  instance  of  this  peculiarity  will 
be  seen  in  the  following  communication  from  one 
of  his  earliest  companions  and  friends:* 

"  I  first  met  with  him  in  the  month  of  September, 
1791,  when  he  was  about  sixteen  years  of  age. 
He  had,  a  short  time  before,  left  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  it  was  decided  by  his  family, 
and  approved  of  by  himself,  that  he  should  finish 
his  collegiate  education  at  Princeton.  I  then  re- 
sided in  the  family  of  Robert  Smith,  of  Philadel- 
phia, who,  in  the  month  of  July,  was  married  to  a 
sister  of  Mr.  Hobart.  It  was  in  this  family  that  I 
became  acquainted  with  him.  I  have  at  this  time  a 
distinct  and  lively  recollection  of  our  first  meeting, 
and  of  the  general  tenour  of  our  conversation  dur- 
ing the  evening  which  we  spent  together;  and  be- 
fore we  parted,  I  formed  an  attachment  to  him, 
which  I  have  never  ceased  to  cherish.  He  was 
between  two  and  three  years  younger  than  I  was, 
and  had  been,  from  the  usual  age,  employed  in  the 
appropriate  studies  preparatory  to  a  classical  edu- 
cation :  on  the  other  hand,  mine  had  been  very 
limited,  confined  to  our  own  language,  and  what 
was  usually  taught  in  a  common  English  school. 
Notwithstanding  these  differences,  however,  in  our 
previous  occupations  and  pursuits,  and  in  our  views 
and  prospects  for  after-life,  we  became  friends  at 
once.  At  the  very  first  interview  we  felt  entire 
confidence  in  each  other,  and  entered  fully  into 
.each    other's    feelings,    wishes,    and    hopes.     He 

*  James  Robertson,  Esq.  of  Richmond,  Virginia. 


16  MKMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

looked  forward  with  pleasure  to  the  many  advant- 
ages which  Princeton  College  then  held  out  to 
young  men  who  would  faithfully  avail  themselves 
of  them,  while  I,  with  a  strong  desire  for  improve- 
ment, was  doomed  to  drudge  at  an  employment 
always  irksome  to  me,  but  which  necessarily  occu- 
pied the  most  of  my  time  and  attention.  He  cheered 
me,  however;  and,  even  at  that  early  period  of  life, 
he  pressed  upon  me,  from  the  weightiest  of  all 
considerations,  the  duty  of  being  reconciled  to  my 
situation;  urging,  that  while  I  faithfully  discharged 
the  duties  which  it  imposed  upon  me,  and  made 
the  best  use  of  the  leisure  that  might  be  left,  I 
would  probably  be  gaining  that  kind  of  information 
which  would  contribute  as  much  to  my  own  happi- 
ness, and  to  my  usefulness  in  society,  as  if  I  were 
to  devote  the  whole  of  my  time  to  literary  pursuits. 
I  have  never  forgotten  his  suggestions;  and  if  I 
have  not  realized  the  hopes  which  his  animating 
conversation  encouraged  me  to  indulge,  my  disap- 
pointment has  not  lessened  my  confidence  in  the 
soundness  and  in  the  sincerity  of  his  advice." 

I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  any  thing  more 
than  some  very  brief  and  imperfect  notices  of  him 
during  his  connexion  with  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Only  two  or  three  of  his  class-mates  still 
survive.  One*  of  these,  who  was  extremely  young 
when  Mr.  Hobart  left  it,  has  a  general  recollection 
that  "  he  was  then  regarded  as  an  excellent  scholar, 
and  discovered  the  ardent  and  active  mind  which 

*  The  Rev.  Dr.  Wilson,  Professor  in  the  General  TheologicaJ 
Seminary  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 


RIGHT  KEY.  JOHN  HKNUY  HOliAltT. 


17 


was  so  fully  developed  in  subsequent  life."  Another* 
observes,  "  that  although  among  the  youngest  in 
the  class,  he  was  considered  one  of  tlie  best  and 
most  promising  scholars;  and  that,  in  a  debating 
society  which  was  established  in  the  College,  he 
held  a  high  rank  among  his  fellow-students."  Here 
all  remarked  his  great  ambition  to  excel  in  the 
exercises,  and  felt  his  power  when  they  came  to 
contend  with  him.  In  tlie  early  part  of  his  life 
he  often  spoke  of  this  society,  and  the  advantages 
which  he  derived  from  it,  with  great  satisfaction. 
In  1791  he  removed  to  Princeton:  he  there  passed 
through  his  collegiate;  course  with  great  reputatiofs, 
and  on  taking  his  bachelor's  degree,  in  1793,  di- 
vided with  another  the  first  honour  of  his  class. 

While  he  was  in  Princeton  College,  he  con- 
tracted a  friendship  for  one  of  his  companions  in 
study,  Abraham  Skinner,  which  was  of  the  most 
romantic  character:  in  intensity  and  fervour  it  re- 
sembled that  of  Jonathan  for  David,  ichose  "  love 
teas  wonderful,  passing  the  love  of  icomen.^^  There 
are  more  than  sixty  letters  remaining,  which  young 
Hobart  wrote  to  his  friend,  that  are  in  a  great 
measure  filled  with  the  most  tender  and  passionate 
expressions  of  his  attachment,  imd  with  allusions 
to  their  happy  and  delightful  intercourse  in  college 
days.  Mr.  Skinner  was  an  amiable  youth,  of  great 
mildness  of  character,  sweetness  of  disposition, 
and  purity  of  manners,  and  in  every  way  worthy  of 
the  affection  which  was  cherished  for  him.  It 
seems  to  have  been  returned  with  a  corresponding 

•  David  B.  Ogden,  Esq. 

3 


18  MEMOIR  OF  THK   LIFE  OF  THE 

ardour,  and  to  have  suffered  no  interruption  during' 
the  short  period  in  which  it  was  allowed  to  be  in- 
dulged; for  he  was  cut  off  in  the  flower  of  his  days, 
and  in  the  opening  prospect  of  wealth,  reputation, 
and  happiness. 

A  few  extracts  from  the  letters  of  Mr.  Hobart 
can  scarcely  fail  to  interest  the  reader,  since  they 
will  serve  to  show  the  deep  and  tender  sensibility 
of  that  heart  in  youth,  which,  notwithstanding  the 
chilling  effects  of  time,  always  continued  to  beat 
with  a  generous  warmth.    His  notions  of  friendship 
were  undoubtedly  enthusiastic  and  extravagant,  but 
it  will  be  recollected  that  they  were  formed  at  the 
season  when  the  imagination  and  passions  are  at 
their  height,  and  the  mind  labours  for  terms  which 
may  suitably  express  the  strong  feelings  of  the  heart. 
Dear  friends  he  considers  ought  to  have  but  one 
heart;  their  feelings,  their  wishes,  their  pleasures, 
their  happiness  should   be  the  same;  their  inmost 
thoughts,  their  most  retired  actions,  their  favourite 
plans  should  be  laid  open  ;  nothing  which  passes 
in  the  bosom  of  one,  should  be  concealed  from  the 
other;   there  should   be  the  most   unreserved   and 
unbounded  confidence  in  each  other.     "  These  are 
the  only  foundations  of  true  and  perfect  friendship. 
With  what  delight  can  I  dwell  on  ours  !     Yes,  my 
dearest  friend,   I   look   back   to  former  scenes;   I 
recollect  the  happiness  we  enjoyed,   the   affection 
which   united  our   engagements,  our  amusements, 
our  desires,  our  hearts ;  how  often  we  have  pursued 
our   studies   together;  how  often  we  met  in  each 
other's  rooms;  how  often,  on  a  summer's  evening, 
we  have  walked  together,  and  shared  the  pleasure 


KIOHT   UEV.   JOHN  HENiiY   H(>BAKT.  19 

of  a  beautiful  prospect.  *  *  *.  The  happy  hours  of 
collegiate  study,  void  of  anxiety  and  care,  are  past, 
and  can  never  again  be  realized."  But  "  thono-h 
we  are  separated  in  person,  no  circumstance  can 
disunite  our  hearts.  *  *  *.  There  are,  indeed,  but 
few  kindred  souls;  I  have  found  but  two  like  mine; 
on  these  my  affections  are  fixed;  and  I  hope  my 
love  for  them  is  not  incompatible  with  that  general 
benevolence  which,  as  a  Christian,  I  ought  to  feel 
for  all  mankind." 

Mr.  Skinner  left  College  before  him.     It  is  sur- 
prising with   what  acuteness   he  felt  the  pangs   of 
separation  from  his  friend;  it  was  so  obvious"  and 
distressing,  that  it  checked  all  raillery  among  his 
remaining  companions,  and  excited  only  their  sym- 
pathy and  kindness.    One  of  the  letters,  which  was 
written  soon  after  on  this  subject,  is  in  some  parts 
rendered  almost  illegible  by  the  tears  which  had 
dropped  upon  it.     He  never  alluded  to  the  separa- 
tion but  with  tenderness  and   regret.     He  formed 
more  than  one  affectionate,   but  visionary  plan,  for 
renewing  their  intimacy,  by  engaging  together  in 
similar  pursuits.     These  feelings  were  revived  in 
all  their  force,  when  he  came  back,  in  the  following 
year,  to  pursue  his  theological  studies  at  Princeton. 
He  revisited  the  place  of  his  education,  where  he 
had  passed  so  many  delightful  hours,  with  mino-jed 
emotions  of  joy  and  regret.    He  saw  many  persons 
who  were   dear   to    him,   but   not   his   chosen   and 
familiar  friend.     He  entered   his  room— he  entered 
his  study— the   recollections   of  former   happiness 
rushed  upon  his  mind,  and  sunk  it  in  dejection  and 
gloom.     But  when  he  was  thus   indulging  in  un« 


20  HhMoii;  OF  THi:  i.irF,  of  rnn 

availing  regrets  on  the  checks  and  disappointments 
to  whicli  his  romantic  passion  was  subjected,  he 
woLiM  often  suddenly  pass  to  the  contemplation  of 
that  better  order  of  things  which,  like  its  blessed 
Author,  is  "  icithout  variableness  or  shadow  of  turn- 
ing.'''' He  endeavoured  also  to  direct  the  thoughts 
of  his  friend  to  that  future  state  of  existence,  where 
all  their  faculties  and  affections  would  be  exalted, 
where  their  holy  nature  would  be  rendered  suscep- 
tible of  the  highest  enjoyment,  and  where,  without 
any  alloy,  they  would  indulge,  throughout  eternity, 
in  the  most  pure,  perfect,  and  beatified  friendship. 
One  of  his  earliest  letters  to  his  friend  was  written 
on  the  first  appearance  of  the  yellow  fever  in  Phila- 
delphia, which  was  the  introduction  of  a  calamity 
among  us  that  excited  the  deepest  sympathy  and 
concern  throughout  the  country  at  the  time;  and 
the  repeated  visitation  of  which  to  other  cities  after- 
wards, is  still  vividly  remembered  by  thousands, 
and  associated  with  the  most  direful  images  of 
human  suffering  and  distress. 

"  Princeton,  AugJist  SOt/i,  1 793. 
"  I  write  a  third  time  from  this  place,  and  am 
uncertain  how  long  I  shall  remain  here.  I  had 
intended  to  go  to  Philadelphia  to-morrow,  but  I 
received  a  letter  from  my  mother  this  morning, 
which  informed  me  that  Dr.  Rush  thought  it  would 
be  imprudent  for  me  to  come,  in  the  present  un- 
healthy state  of  the  city.  The  fever  still  rages 
there,  and  the  present  exceedingly  hot  weather  will 
rather  increase  its  ravages.  To  such  an  alarming 
stage  has  the  disorder  advanced,  that  the  dead  are 


RIGHT   RKV.  JOHPt  IIKNHY  HOBAUT.  21 

buried  privately,  for  fear  of  distressing  and  terrify- 
ing the  citizens  by  the  number  of  funerals  presented 
to  their  view  Terror  and  anxiety  are,  I  hear,  de- 
picted on  the  countenances  of  all,  and  every  pre- 
ventive which  the  skill  of  physicians  can  suggest, 
is  used  without  staying  its  progress.  What  a  ne- 
cessity there  is  for  every  person  to  be  prepared  to 
exchange  a  temporal  for  an  eternal  state  !  *  *  *. 
The  Scriptures  inform  us,  that  the  pleasures  of 
the  world  sink  into  nothing,  when  compared  with 
the  happiness  that  arises  from  a  sense  of  pardoned 
guilt,  the  enjoyment  of  the  favour  of  God,  and  from 
the  prospect  of  eternal  happiness  in  his  presence. 
*  *  *.  Let  us  bless  God  for  his  mercy  in  not  cutting 
us  off  in  our  course  of  sin,  but  allowing  us  time  for 
repentance.*  *  *  *.  Let  us  endeavour  to  secure 
an  interest  in  that  Saviour  who  shed  his  blood  to 
wash  away  our  sins.  *  *  *.  O  my  dear  boy,  let  us 
not  neglect  to  implore  God  to  grant  us  his  Holy 
Spirit  to  withdraw  our  affections  from  the  vanities 
of  this  world,  and  place  them  on  himself,  the  inex- 
haustible source  of  excellence  and  perfection. 

"  The  heart  of  my  dearest  Skinner  is,  I  know, 
full  of  anxiety  for  the  welfare  of  my  relations. 
They  were  all,  when  I  last  heard,  in  as  good  health 
as  usual,  and  all  out  of  town,  except  my  mother  and 
her  family.  I  feel  very  much  alarmed  on  her  ac- 
count, and  will  entreat  her  to  leave  the  city.  She 
seems  concerned  for  every  body  but  herself,  not 
considering  how  very  dear  her  life  is  to  her  family. 
I  hope,  however,  that  Providence,  who  has  hitherto 

*   Mr.  Skinner  afterwards  fell  a  \nctim  to  this  very  pestilence. 


22 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 


preserved  her  in  many  trying  afflictions,  will  still 
continue  to  make  her  his  care." 

Mr.  Skinner  had  determined  to  pursue  the  study 
of  the  law  under  the  direction  of  his  father,  who 
practised  at  the  New-York  bar,  but  resided  at 
Jamaica,  on  Long-Island.  This  neat  and  peaceful 
vilhage  is  situated  on  the  borders  of  an  extensive 
plain:  it  has  a  degree  of  rural  beauty  from  the 
high  cultivation  of  the  country  around  it,  and  is 
enlivened  by  the  prospect  of  woodlands  on  a  range 
of  hills  in  its  immediate  neighbourhood.  Mr.  Ho- 
bart  had  once  visited  this  place,  and  from  the 
pleasure  which  he  enjoyed  there  in  his  rambles 
with  his  friend,  his  imagination  had  invested  it 
with  unreal  charms.  In  the  letters  which  he  wrote 
to  Skinner,  he  often  alludes  to  them,  and  enlarges 
on  the  opportunities  of  this  quiet  retreat  for  the 
improvement  of  his  mind.  *'  It  rejoices  me  to  think 
that  you  have  every  advantage  for  study  which 
retirement  can  afford.  *  *  *.  You  can  pursue"  it 
with  "  more  vigour,  and  acquire  habits  of  serious- 
ness and  reflection  which  may  prove  of  inestimable 
benefit.  *  *  *.  Every  thing  around  you  naturally 
leads  to  reflection.  To  a  mind  like  yours,  the 
works  of  nature  have  peculiar  charms;  and  in  the 
contemplation  of  them,  peace,  serenity,  and  con- 
tentment unite  to  make  you  happy.  *  *  *.  Retired 
from  the  noise  and  interruption  of  a  city  life, 
beyond  the  reach  of  its  fascinating  pleasures,  and 
its  temptations  to  swerve  from  the  line  of  duty, 
you,  my  dearest  friend,  have  a  very  favourable  op- 
portunity for  mental  and  moral  improvement.  My 
ardent  prayers  are  offered  up,  that  you  may  advance 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  23 

in  both  as  far  as  human  weakness  can  go."  But 
these  just  and  beautiful  observations,  which  are 
extracted  from  various  parts  of  his  correspondence, 
and  which  so  advantageously  exhibit  both  the  cor- 
rectness of  his  taste  and  the  benevolence  of  his 
heart,  almost  uniformly  end  in  a  higher  strain. 

"But,  after  all  your  acquirements,  you  will  not  be 
happy   if  you  endeavour   to  derive  that    happiness 
from   either  mental  or   sensual   enjoyments   alone. 
These  cannot  satisfy  an  immortal  soul  intended  for 
another  and  more  exalted  state  of  existence.    There 
will  be  a  void,  which   God   alone  can  fill.     As  in  a 
future  life  the  enjoyment  of  our  Maker's  perfections 
will  constitute  a  great  part  of  our  happiness,  so  in 
this  life  true  happiness  can  alone  be  derived  from 
the  same  source.     Think  on  these  things.     Endea- 
vour to  learn  your  duty  from  the  Scriptures,  wliere 
alone  it  is  to  be  found.  *  ^  *.     Read  the  word  of 
God  and  comments  upon  it.     Pray  earnestly  that 
he  would  guide  you  by  his  Holy  Spirit  into  the  way 
of  truth.     Seriously  inquire  after  the  way  of  salva- 
tion.   '  Ask,  mid  ye  shall  receive,'  is  a  declaration  full 
of  comfort  to  every  inquiring  soul.  But  then  we  must 
ask  fervently,  anxiously,  and  importunately.  *  *  *. 
If  we  are  not  feelingly  convinced  that  of  ourselves 
we  can  do  nothing,  that  the   Spirit  of  grace  must 
subdue  and  purify  our  nature,  and  that  the  atoning 
merits  of  our  blessed  Redeemer  alone  can  give  us 
a  title  to  immortal  happiness,  and  reconcile  us  to 
an  offended  God,  all  our  works   and  righteousness 
will  avail  us  nothing.     O  may  we  both  find  in  him 
fulness  of  joy,  and  found  all  our  hopes  of  forgive- 
ness, favour,  and  happiness,  in  him  alone." 


24  MKMOIR  OP  THE  LIFE  OP  THE 

It  was  an  occasion  of  some  regret  to  Mr.  Hobart, 
that  his  friend  had  determined  to  study  the  law, 
not  from  any  weak  and  groundless  prejudices 
against  it,  but  from  the  fear  that  he  might  be  ex^ 
posed  to  greater  temptations  in  that  profession  than 
in  the  retired  and  holy  vocation  which  he  himself 
had  chosen.  With  congenial  feelings,  dispositions, 
and  habits,  he  was  anxious  that  their  hearts  should 
be  drawn  still  closer  together  by  kindred  pursuits. 
"  How  I  should  rejoice,"  he  remarks,  "  were  we 
both  to  embrace,  from  pure  and  holy  views,  that 
sacred  office,  in  which,  if  we  faithfully  performed 
our  duty  on  earth,  we  should  enjoy  the  greatest 
happiness  here,  and  hereafter  shine  as  the  stars  in 
the  Jirniament  of  heaven.''^ 

It  appears,  however,  that  Mr.  Skinner  had  chosen 
this  profession,  both  from  his  own  predilection  for 
it,  and  in  compliance  with  the  wishes  and  interests 
of  his  father.  The  point,  therefore,  was  pressed 
no  farther;  Mr.  Hobart  was  not  only  satisfied  with 
the  course  which  he  had  taken,  but  thought  it 
worthy  of  the  highest  commendation.  "  If  any 
thing,  my  dearest  friend,  could  render  you  more 
dear  to  me  than  you  already  are,  it  would  be  that 
filial  affection  which  warms  your  soul.  *  *  *.  Next 
to  a  sense  of  our  accountableness  to  God,  there  can 
be  no  greater  spring  to  good  action  than  a  desire  of 
being  useful,  especially  to  those  connected  with  us 
by  the  ties  of  nature.  *  *  *.  As  this  is  particularly 
your  motive  to  the  study  of  the  law,  I  would  not,  for 
a  moment,  think  of  advising  you  to  any  thing  else. 
No;  that  is  the  profession  which  it  is  your  duty  to 
pursue,  and  in  which,  with  your  feelings,  you  can 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENliY  llOBAKT.  25 

best  serve  your  Creator.  It  rejoices  me  to  tliink 
that  it  is  your  wish  and  intention  to  serve  him.  *  *  *. 
God  has  given  you  talents,  which  are  capable,  by 
due  cultivation,  of  advancing  you  to  honour  and 
usefulness.  *  *  *.  May  you  attain  every  grace  and 
virtue  which,  in  dependence  on  his  mercy  in  Christ, 
will  render  you  acceptable  in  his  sight.  *  *  *.  May 
God  qualify  you  for  every  duty,  and  enable  you  so 
to  live  in  this  life,  that  you  may  finally  live  with 
him  in  life  everlasting." 

It  is  delightful  to  observe,  notwithstanding  the 
difference  of  their  vocations,  what  a  lively  interest 
was  taken  by  Hobart  in  all  the  engagements  of  his 
friend.  "  Your  letter  (of  the  Slst  October,  1794) 
yielded  me  peculiar  pleasure:  while  it  was  expres- 
sive of  the  warmest  affection,  it  conveyed  informa- 
tion relative  to  your  studies  and  pursuits.  Sepa- 
rated from  you,  a  very  principal  consolation  to  me 
is,  that  you  are  engaged  in  the  improvement  of 
your  mind;  and  that  your  prudence  and  goodness 
lead  you,  in  a  rcdiance  on  the  assistance  of  the 
Almighty,  to  avoid  every  cause  which  would  tend 
to  the  abasement  of  your  mental  fjiculties  and  your 
moral  taste.  I  do  not  wonder,  that  the  farther  you 
progress  in  the  study  of  the  law,  the  more  you  are 
pleased  with  it.  This  is  the  case  in  every  jmrsuit; 
the  mind  becomes  more  interested,  and  its  advant- 
ages more  conspicuous,  the  farther  you  advance. 
*  *  *.  Continue,  my  dearest  friend,  in  that  noble 
and  laudable  resolution  to  improve  every  moment 
of  your  time.     To  keep  to  it  in  your  situation,* 

*   He  had  then  removed  from  Jamaim  tn  Now-Ynrk. 

4 


26  MEMOIK  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

where  so  many  pleasures  court  your  acceptance, 
great  self-denial  will  be  necessary;  but  your  merit 
will  be  the  greater.  How  just  your  observation 
with  respect  to  the  generality  of  young  men  !  and 
how  great  my  satisfaction  in  knowing  that  you  con- 
demn and  shun  their  example  !  Society  is  desir- 
able and  necessary;  but  say  not  that  I  am  severe, 
if  I  add,  that  I  think  it  should  not,  at  our  age,  ex- 
tend beyond  relatives  and  select  friends.  Company 
prevents  study.  Youth  should  be  devoted  to  im- 
provement— manhood  more  immediately  to  the  ex- 
ercise of  our  talents,  with  a  view  to  be  useful  to 
our  connexions  and  country.  To  study  to  advant- 
age, a  person  should  have  that  alone  in  view;  and 
every  power  of  his  mind  should,  if  possible,  be 
directed  to  the  subject  before  him." 

In  these  juvenile  thoughts,  thrown  out  at  ran- 
dom in  a  correspondence  the  most  free  and  undis- 
guised that  can  well  be  imagined,  we  can  easily 
perceive  the  early  ambition  of  the  writer's  mind, 
and  discover  the  germs  of  that  greatness  which  it 
finally  attained. 

But  its  premature  growth  in  that  religious  know- 
ledge, which,  as  it  was  the  first  in  importance,  so 
he  placed  above  all  natural  gifts  and  human  ac- 
quirements, forms  the  most  striking  peculiarity  in 
these  letters  to  his  friend :  here  he  rises  greatly 
above  the  ordinary  powers  of  his  mind,  uniting, 
as  it  were,  all  the  tenderness  of  youthful  persua- 
sion with  the  dignity  and  authority  of  riper  years. 
It  appears  that  Mr.  Skinner  was  amiable,  inge- 
nuous, correct,  and  piously  disposed,  but  that  he 
had   not  entered  deeply  into  the    subject   of  reli- 


—^^t; 


IIIGHT  KEV.  JOHN    HENRY    HOlJAltT, 


27 


gion,  which  he   himself  regarded  as  his  supreme 
concern. 

In  one  of  his  letters  he  remarks,  that  it  gives 
him  the  greatest  pleasure  to  find  that  his  friend 
intends  to  make  the  care  of  his  soul  the  principal 
object  of  his  attention;  "it  ought  to  be  the  most 
so  of  any  thing  that  can  engage  our  thoughts. 
*  What  will  it  profit  a  man,  if  he  should  gain  the 
whole  world,  aiid  lose  his  own  soidV  Indeed,  when 
we  think  that  our  bodies  will  live  only  for  a  few 
years,  and  our  souls  for  an  eternity,  huvv  do  the 
vanity  and  absurdity  of  attending  to  the  former, 
and  neglecting  the  latter,  force  themselves  upon 
our  minds!  You  lament  that  we  are  not  together: 
it  indeed  deprives  us  of  much  pleasure,  and  per- 
haps of  much  mental  and  spiritual  improvement. 
But  you  should  not  rest  on  any  one,  much  less  on 
me,  for  the  formation  of  rtdigious  impressions  in 
your  soul:  this  must  be  the  work  of  the  Spirit  of 
grace;  and  as  God  communicates  his  grace  through 
the  channel  of  appointed  means,  have  recourse  to 
them:  yet  beware,  at  the  same  time,  of  trusting  to 
them  for  pardon  and  acceptance  with  God.  You 
must  pray  that  he  would  restore  you  to  his  favour, 
not  because  you  use  the  means  which  he  has  ap- 
pointed, but  for  the  sake  of  his  blessed  Son,  who 
died  that  God  might  be  reconciled  to  sinners.  You 
must  feel  your  own  unworthiness ;  you  must  ac- 
knowledge, that,  were  God  to  judge  you  according 
to  your  works,  he  could  not  but  condemn  you,  and 
that  Christ  Jesus  alone  can  save  you.  By  the  cor- 
ruption of  our  nature,  and  the  sinfulness  of  our 
lives,  we  are  exposed  to  the  wrath  of  God.     We 


28  MEMOIK  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

are  unable  to  fulfil  the  law  which  he  has  appointed 
to  be  the  rule  of  our  conduct:  this  law  requires 
perfect  obedience,  which  we  are  unable  to  give. 
We  are  therefore  subject  to  the  penalty  of  the  law, 
which  is  eternal  death.  Herein  was  the  love  of 
God  displayed:  Christ  Jesus  took  upon  him  our 
nature,  fulfilled  this  law,  became  subject  to  its  pe- 
nalty '  for  others,'  and  washed  away  their  sins  in 
his  atoning  blood.  God  can  now  consistently  with 
his  justice  pardon  sinners.  When,  by  the  assist- 
ance of  his  Holy  Spirit,  they  repent  and  believe  in 
the  Saviour,  God  accepts  of  his  obedience  to  the 
law  instead  of  theirs.  Thus  they  receive  the  par- 
don of  their  sins,  and  become  inheritors  of  ever- 
lasting life.  This  is  a  brief  and  imperfect  sketch 
of  the  plan  of  redemption,  at  least  as  far  as  I  com- 
prehend it.  •.       •     ^ 

"  Consult  the  Scriptures,  and  your  duty  will  be 
made  clear.  Address  yourself  fervently  to  God, 
that  he  would  enlighten  your  understanding,  sub- 
due your  stubborn  and  rebellious  will,  and  change 
all  your  corrupt  affections.  Pray  that  he  may  give 
you  an  interest  in  the  atonement  of  the  Redeemer, 
and  make  you  pure  and  holy.  And  do  not  imagine 
that  the  blessed  Saviour  is  unwilling  to  receive 
you:  *  Him  that  cometh  unto  me,  I  will  in  no  wise 
cast  out.'  *  Whosoever  will,  let  him  come  and  drink 
of  the  waters  of  life  freely.'  '  Come  unto  me,  all  ye 
that  are  weary  and  heavy-laden,  and  I  will  give  you 
rest.'  *  His  yoke  is  easy  and  his  burden  is  light.' 
<  O  taste  and  see  that  the  Lord  is  good ;'  that  the 
ways  of  religion  *  are  ways  of  pleasantness,  and  all 
her  paths  are  peace.'    Unworthy  as  I  am,  feeble  as 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  29 

my  belief  is  in  the  Saviour,  I  would  not  exchange 
the  peace  I  feel,  from   my  trust  in  him,  and  from 
the   consciousness   that,    by   his   intercession,   God 
beholds  me  with  favour  and  compassion,  for  all  the 
honours,  pleasures,  and   enjoyments  of  the  world. 
*  *  *.     Let  me  then  press  you  (as  I  would  urge 
myself)  to  be  diligent  in  working  out  your  salva- 
tion.    Remember   that  if  you  perish,  you  will  be 
without  excuse.     God  forbid   that   this   should   be 
the   lot  of  my   dearest   friend.     Delay  not,    then, 
the  great  work  of  repentance  till    it   be   too  late. 
Begin  with  the  reformation  of  your  heart  and  life 
— with  the  abstaining  from  every  known  sin,  and 
the  practice  of  every  known  duty;  and  let  all  your 
exertions  be  accompanied  with  sincere  and  fervent 
prayer  to  God  for  his  grace,  without  which  they 
cannot  be  effectual.     May  he  who  is  abundant  in 
mercy   and    grace,    form  our    hearts    to   his    most 
blessed  image,  and  our  lives  to  his  most  holy  law, 
that   when   this   mortal  life   is  ended,  we   may  be 
received  into  life  eternal,  through  the  all-sufficient 
merits  of  Christ  our  Saviour.     Do  not  our  hearts 
answer,  Amenl" 

This  youthful  attachment,  productive  of  so  much 
advantage  and  happiness  to  both,  and  exalted  by 
an  union  with  piety  and  virtue,  was  of  brief  dura- 
tion. A  letter  was  received  from  the  father  of  Mr. 
Skinner,  in  the  autumn  of  1795,  announcing  the 
sudden  and  unexpected  death  of  his  son.  There  is 
something  peculiarly  simple  and  touching  in  the 
endorsement  on  the  back  of  this  letter,  in  the  hand- 
writing of  Mr.  Hobart:  "  Abraham  Skinner,  Esq. 
New-York,  September  5th,  1795;  containing  infor- 


60  RIEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

mation  of  the  death  of  his  son,  my  clearest  friend, 
who  was  first  united  to  me  in  the  bonds  of  a  close 
friendshi{),  in  the  summer  of  1793,  at  Princeton 
College. 

"  I  did  not  receive  this  letter  at  Frankfort  till 
the  14th  September,  the  day  I  entered  on  my  nine- 
teenth year — melancholy  birth-day! 

"  I  write  down  these  circumstances,  from  a  wish 
to  preserve,  on  a  tablet  more  durable  than  memory, 
every  thing  relating  to  this  melancholy  event." 

The  letter  itself  is  a  burst  of  grief,  which  goes 
to  the  heart. 

'  ^  ■'■'...      . 

"  MY  DEAR  HOBART, 

"  How  shall  I  begin  this  sad  epistle  l  My  darling 
boy  is  now  no  more!  Yes,  my  friend,  his  race, 
though  short,  is  run;  and  he  is  gone,  I  hope,  to 
meet  his  merciful  God!  O  sad  lesson!  bitter  cup, 
how  shall  I  swallow  iil  I  will — I  will  bow  sub- 
missive to  him  who  cannot  err — who  gave  to  me, 
and  who  has  taken  from  me — blessed  be  his  holy 
name!  Teach  me,  O  gracious  God!  to  bear  my 
affliction:  support  and  strengthen  me. 

"  But,  amidst  this  direful  confusion  and  distress, 
what  a  consolation  that  he  had  his  reason  almost 
to  the  last!  and  in  his  lucid  intervals,  very  shortly 
before  his  dissolution,  his  expressions  and  ejacula- 
tions exhibited  strong  proofs  of  his  resignation  to 
the  will  of  heaven,  and  a  firm  reliance  on  God, 
through  the  merits  of  a  blessed  Redeemer.  Let 
these  things,  my  friend,  comfort  you. 

"  Your  letter  of  the  first  of  September  he  re- 
ceived on  his  death-bed :  it  was  read  to  him  by  his 


RIGHT  liEV.  JOHN  HENKY  HOBART.  31 

mother;  but  the  invitation  came  too  late.  You 
have  our  blessings  for  it.  Though  my  child  is 
dead,  I  know  his  memory  will  survive.  He  had  a 
place  in  your  heart,  and  it  will  not  be  effaced. 

"  On  opening  his  desk  this  morning,  the  first 
thing  that  presented  itself  to  me,  was  the  enclosed 
scrap.  I  am  induced  to  think  it  was  part  of  a  letter 
intended  for  you.  Keep  the  essay— it  is  his  last. 
Write  me,  IJobart— it  will  console  me— it  will  give* 
.  his  mother  some  ease." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  Mr.  Hobart's 
reply:— 

Princeton,  Oct.  9th,  1 795. 
"Abraham  Skinner,  Esq. 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR, 

"  How  can  I  feel  otherwise  than  interested  in  the 
welfare  of  those  who  were  so  dear— to  one  whom 
I   loved   as   my  own  soul  \     I  sincerely  hope    and 
pray,  that  the  weight  of  grief  which  overpowered 
you,   has  been  rendered  lighter  by  those  consola- 
tions which  a  trust  in  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of 
the  gracious  Parent  of  the  universe  never  fails  to 
inspire.     Never  did  a  father  lament  the  loss  of  a 
niore  amiable  son.     To  cease  to  mourn  altogether 
for  It,  IS  impossible.     Religion  requires  us  not  to 
smother  the  feelings  of  nature,  and  while  she  per- 
mits us  to  mourn,  she  teaches  us  not   <  to  mourn  as 
those  who  have  no  hope;'  for  we  enjoy  the  blessed 
assurance,  that  the  souls  of  those  whom  we  love 
exist  beyond  the  grave;  and  we  trust  that  the  vir- 
tue and  piety  of  him  whose  loss  we  lament,  has 
procured  him,  through  the  merits  of  his  Saviour,  an 


32  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

admittance  into  those  blissful  regions  where  'sorrow 
and  siffhinjr  are  done  away.'  Thither  let  us  aspire. 
Convinced  of  the  uncertainty  of  earthly  enjoyments, 
let  us  seek  those  which  are  at  God's  right  hand; 
and  we  may  then  hope  once  again  to  enjoy  the 
affection  of  him  whose  loss  we  deplore.  Strangers 
and  pilgrims  upon  earth,  he  has  arrived  before  us 
at  the  end  of  his  journey.  He  has  left  us  to  struggle 
with  many  difficulties  in  our  pilgrimage.  These  he 
has  escaped.  Why  then  should  we  repine]  His 
crown  of  glory  was  attained  with  little  toil.  Infi- 
nite Wisdom  sees  fit  to  try  us  longer." 

I  happened  to  be  at  Bishop  Hobart's  many  years 
after  this  event,  when  he  mentioned  that  the  recol- 
lection of  Mr.  Skinner  had  just  been  called  up  in 
a  most  singular  manner.  In  attending  the  funeral 
of  some  one  of  his  connexions,  the  remains  of  his 
friend  had  been  disinterred,  and  laid  strewn  before 
him,  around  the  grave.  Notwithstanding  the  lapse 
of  lime,  it  was  an  affecting  and  painful  sight. 

Just  after  Mr.  Hobart  had  graduated  at  Princeton 
College,  all  the  promise  of  his  aspiring  genius  was 
on  the  eve  of  being  blighted  for  ever,  by  an  unex- 
pected change  in  his  pursuits.     From  the  begin- 
ning, the  whole  bent  of  his  mind  had  been  directed 
towards  the  acquisition  of  knowledge.     Childhood 
had  been  spent  in   assiduous   study;   reading  was 
his  delight;  every  species  of  information  attractive 
to  young   minds  was   sought  with   avidity.     After 
having  passed  through  the  preparatory  stages  of  an 
academical  education,  in  a  way  which  encouraged 
the  hope  of  success,  and  finally  surpassed  the  fond- 
est anticipations  of  his  friends,  he  was  induced,  by 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HKNRY  HOBAUT.  33 

their  solicitations  and  advice,  to  resign  the  fruits 
of  his  labour,  to  change  the  aim  of  his  life,  and  to 
prepare  himself  for  a  new  vocation,  in  which,  with 
all  his  hright  gifts,  he  would  probably  have  sunk 
below  the  mere  drudges  of  business.  With  an 
affectionate  heart,  which  was  alive  to  the  comfort 
and  happiness  of  all  around  him,  he  yielded  to  do- 
mestic considerations,  and  resolved  to  enter  upon 
mercantile  pursuits.  Nothing  could  be  more  fo- 
reign from  his  taste,  predilections,  and  habits.  In 
the  establisltment  which  he  entered,  there  was  an 
early  friend,*  who  was  strongly  attached  to  him,  who 
had  a  just  estimate  of  his  character,  and  had  watched 
with  delight  the  development  of  those  faculties,  of 
which  he  had  loiig  before  formed  a  pleasing  augury, 
and  who  now  rejoiced  in  the  fulfilment  of  his  hopes. 
This  friend,  who  had  been  brought  up  in  Scotland, 
and  imbued  with  tiiat  love  of  literature  which  often 
gives  a  liberal  cast  even  to  those  who  are  not  destined 
for  the  learned  professions,  regarded  the  plan  with 
pain  and  regret.  He  knew  that  a  mind  thus  trained 
could  not  be  subjected  to  so  new  a  discipline;  that, 
with  whatever  fidelity  and  diligence  these  duties 
might  be  discharged,  they  would  not  be  pursued 
with  ease  and  pleasure;  and  that,  finally,  after  a 
great  loss  of  valuable  time,  they  would  be  relin- 
quished in  weariness  and  disgust.  Though,  there- 
fore, a  beloved  and  cherished  companion  was  thus 
brought  near  to  him,  he  still  lamented  that  he  was 
out. of  place.     The  motives,  however,  which  led  to 

•  James  Robertson,  Esq. 

5 


34  MEMOIR  OF  THK  LIFE  OF  THE 

the  sacrifice  were  too  delicate  and  commendable 
to  admit  of  any  opposition. 

Mr.  Hobart    commenced    his    new    employment 
with  all  the  industry,  ardour,  and  zeal  for  which  he 
was  distinguished  in  after  life.     In  consequence  of 
the  yellow  fever,  which  prevailed   in  Philadelphia 
in  the  fall  of  1793,  business  was  suspended  till  late 
in  the  season;   so  that,  when  it  came  on,  it  was 
unusually  pressing,  and  engrossed  his  whole  time 
from   morninir   till    night.     For  two  months  there 
was  scarcely  an  hour's  leisure,  except  on  Sundays. 
Not  only,  therefore,  were  the  severer  studies  and 
elegant  pursuits  of  the  scholar  interrupted,  which 
he  must  have  made  up  his  mind  to  abandon,  but 
even  those  lighter  recreations  to  which  the  man  of 
letters  always  looks  for  occasional  relief  from  the 
fatigues  of  business.     Still,   however,  he  pursued 
it  in  good    spirits,   and  with  an  earnest  desire  to 
be  reconciled  to  an  irksome   employment:   but  the 
effort  was  vain — it  was  against  the  whole  bias  of 
his  nature,  and,  would  it  be  presumptuous  to  say, 
against  the  designs  of  Providence  1     A  season   of 
leisure    came,   which    gave    him  an  opportunity  of 
resuming,  at  intervals,  his  favourite  pursuits.     The 
return   of  these   pure  and  intellectual    enjoyments 
revived  all  his  love  for  them:   he  could  endure  his 
vocation  no  longer — his  repugnance  was  invincible. 
His  friends  perceiving  it,  yielded  to  his  wishes,  and 
he  abandoned  it  for  ever. 

When  he  left  the  counting-house  of  his  brother- 
in-law,  Mr.  Smith,  his  mind  reverted  to  his  original 
purpose  of  preparing  himself  for  the  ministry  in 
the  Episcopal    Church.     It  was   then   determined 


RIGHT  UEV.  JOHN  HENUY  HOBART.  35 

that  he  should  prosecute  his  studies  under  the  care 
of  Bishop  Wliite;  but  that  phin  was  soon  changed 
fur  another.  About  th.is  period  he  received  a  letter 
from  Dr.  Smith,  the  President  of  Princeton  College, 
inviting  him  to  give  his  assistance  in  the  labours  of 
that  institution,  and  at  the  same  time  representing 
to  iiim  the  superior  advantages  which  he  would 
enjoy  for  study  in  that  quiet  retreat.  He  thus  no- 
tices this  proposal  in  one  of  his  letters  to  Mr. 
Skinner: — 

"  At  length  my  line  of  life  for  some  time  to  come 
seems  fixed.  While  I  was  thinking  of  going  to 
Princeton  to  pursue  my  studies,  I  received  a  letter 
from  Dr.  Smitli,  a  copy  of  which  I  will  write  on 
the  next  page,  and  also  my  answer  to  it.  By  them 
you  will  see  that  I  have  very  unexpectedly  had  the 
offer  of  an  office,  arduous  indeed  in  the  execution, 
but  which  diligence,  assisted  by  prudence  and  a 
degree  of  judgment,  might  enable  me  to  fulfil. 
Tiie  opportunity  which  it  will  afford  me  for  im- 
provement, in  many  respects,  induced  me  to  ac- 
cept of  it,  though  contrary  to  the  wishes  of  some 
of  my  relations.  My  dear  sister's  affectionate  heart 
could  not  bear  the  idea  of  parting  with  me,  after 
she  had  indulged  herself  in  the  expectation  that  I 
should  remain  with  her  for  a  considerable  length 
of  time.  And  the  fears  of  my  friends,  that  I  would 
leave  the  Episcopal  communion  in  which  I  have 
been  educated,  was  another  obstacle  to  my  accept- 
ing of  the  office.  But  these  difficulties  have  been 
overcome." 

The  following  are  the  copies  of  the  letter  of  Dr. 
Smith,  and  of  Mr.  Hobart's  reply: — 


36  MEMOIR  i)F  Tllb:  LlFli  OF  THH 

"  Princeton,  Nov,  18,  1793. 

"  DEAR  SIR, 

"  It  has  been  suggested  that  your  own  inclina- 
tion would  lead  you  to  pursue  your  liberal  studies 
to  a  greater  extent,  and  that  a  residence  at  Prince- 
ton would  not  be  disagreeable  to  you,  in  order  to 
have  the  more  leisure  for  improvement.     Although 
I  have  reason  to  believe  that  advantageous  propo- 
sals will  be  made  you  by  Mr.  Smith,*  yet  I  have 
been  desired  to  inquire  whether   or   not   you  will 
accept  of  an    appointment  in  the  College,   in  the 
room  of  Mr.  Abeel.    I  know  not  your  private  views, 
nor  how  such  a  situation  would  accord  with  your 
ideas;   but  if  you  were  willing  to  accept  the   ap- 
pointment,  there   is   no   person   who   would   more 
unanimously  obtain  it;  and  I  must  say  for  myself, 
that  it  would  be  peculiarly  agreeable  to  me.     Your 
answer  to  this  inquiry,  by  the  first  post,  will  very 

much  oblige, 

"Dear  Sir,  = 

"  Your  very  humble  servant, 
"  SAM.  S.  SMITH." 

'' Philadelphia,  Nov.  2'^,  119^. 

"  SIR, 

"  I  must  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter 
of  the  18th  instant,  and  should  have  sooner  paid  it 
the  necessary  attention,  had  not  its  contents,  in- 
teresting in  a  high  degree  to  my  future  welfare  and 
happiness,  required  consideration.  The  confidence 
of  the  Faculty,  with  which  I  am  so  unexpectedly 

•  The  brother-in-law  of  Mr.  Hobart. 


I{1(;HT   I5KV.  JOHN   HKMiY   HOBAUT.  5? 

honoured,  excites  in  my  mind  a  lively  gratitude, 
accompanied  by  a  feeling  conviction  of  the  neces- 
sity of  the  most  unremitted  exertions  on  my  part, 
to  fulfil  with  honour  the  office  they  would  confer 
on  me.  A  desire  to  pursue,  with  advantage,  studies 
of  a  liberal  nature,  and  also  to  have  leisure  for 
reflection  and  improvement,  have  induced  me  to 
look  upon  a  residence  at  Princeton  as  desirable ; 
and  I  had  it  in  contemplation,  with  the  consent  of 
my  friends,  to  remove  there,  to  pursue  my  studies 
in  a  private  capacity.  But  as  the  ofler  to  which 
your  letter  has  reference,  would  afford  a  greater 
scope  for  improvement,  my  own  wishes,  and,  of 
consequence,  the  consent  of  my  friends,  lead  to  the 
acceptance  of  it.  At  the  same  time  I  repeat  the 
declaration,  that  I  am  fully  sensible  the  greatest 
exertions  on  my  part  could  alone  qualify  me  for 
the  honourable  discharge  of  its  important  duties: 
these  I  can  safely  promise,  from  a  principle  of  duly, 
shall  not  be  wanting.  The  wish  of  the  Faculty  on 
this  subject  should  be  handed  to  me  by  the  first 
opportunity,  as  immediate  preparations  will  be  ne- 
cessary. With  a  high  sense  of  the  honour  con- 
ferred on  me  by  the  confidence  of  the  Faculty,  and 
of  your  kind  wishes  with  respect  to  my  future  en- 
gagements, I  remain 

•     "  Their  and  your 
^  "  "  Most  obliged  servant, 

"  JOHN  H.  IIOBART." 

The  letter  of  Dr.  Smith  had  been  orouglit  to  him 
by  a  private  hand,  and  from  some  conversation  that 
took  place  between  the  bearer  of  it  and  himself,  it 


38  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

was  erroneously  concluded  that,  if  t!ic  nppointment 
were  made,  it  would  not  be  accepted.  The  Fa- 
culty, therefore,  supposing  that  their  application 
was  fruitless,  at  once  filled  up  the  vacancy  by  the 
temporary  appointment  of  anotiier.  On  the  receipt, 
however,  of  Mr.  Hobart's  answer,  the  President 
wrote  a  letter  to  Iiim,  which  was  couched  in  very 
polite  and  flattering  terms,  assuring  iiim  that,  in 
the  offer  of  the  Faculty,  the  greatest  fairness  and 
respect  were  meant  towards  him;  that  the  proposal 
of  Mr.  Wood  would  neither  have  been  brought  for- 
ward nor  accepted,  had  they  not  been  under  the 
impression  that  he  had  declined;  and  that  it  was 
their  unanimous  wish  that  he  would  not  give  up  his 
intention  of  going  to  Princeton,  but  that  he  would 
still  take  the  place  in  the  spring,  when,  by  the 
terms  of  the  engagement,  it  would  be  resigned. 
He  again  replied,  that  if  there  should  be  no  change 
in  his  views,  he  would  then  accept  the  office.  In 
the  meantime,  however,  the  matter  had  been  care- 
fully considered  in  all  its  bearings,  and  his  mind 
was  thrown  into  the  greatest  perplexity  and  doubt. 
He  had  been  struck  with  the  advantages  which  this 
situation  ofTered  for  study  and  reflection,*  but  then 
he  feared,  notwithstanding  the  support  and  indul- 
gence which  he  hoped  to  meet  with  from  the  Fa- 
culty,  that  the  duties  of  the  office  would   require 

*  He  also  pointed  out,  in  a  letter  to  his  mother  on  this  subject, 
another  important  advantage:— "  All  the  duties  of  the  office,  by 
leadin<^  me  to  associate  much  with  men  of  talents  and  information, 
and  to  direct  and  inHuence  the  conduct  of  others,  will  be  of  great 
service  in  preparing  me  for  active  intercourse  with  mankind  in 
future  life." 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOB  ART.  39 

more  ability  and  experienco  than  could  reasonribly 
be  expected  at  his  early  age;*  that  he  should  be 
obliged  to  siiake  off  his  former  pleasing  intimacy 
with  some  of  the  students,  and  perhaps  draw  on 
him  the  ill  will  of  others;  and  that  he  should  not 
participate  in  th.e  enjoyments  and  improvement  to 
be  derived  from  that  favourite  societyf  in  whose 
business  and  discussions  he  had  always  taken  so 
conspicuous  a  part.  These  are  some  of  the  reasons 
which  led  liim  to  waver  in  regard  to  this  step;  but 
there  were  others  still  more  weighty  which  increased 
his  hesitation.  "  My  friends,"  he  remarks,  in  a  let- 
ter to  Mr.  Skinner,  "  though  they  acquiesced  in 
this  scheme,  were  averse  to  it.  It  is  their  wish 
that  I  should  be  with  them.  My  mother  also  would 
lose  a  great  part  of  her  happiness  were  T  to  be 
away  from  her:  she  is  now  in  the  decline  of  life. 
Her  children's  happiness  and  interests  have  been 
the  objects  of  all  her  exertions,  and  these  now  de- 
mand from  them  every  attention  which  it  is  in  their 
power  to  render.  Uncertain  how  long  she  might 
be  witli  us,  I  could  not  think  of  leaving  her.  She 
and  all  my  other  relations,  however,  wished  me  to 
go,  if  I  thought  it  would  be  most  to  my  advantage 
and  interest. 

"  I  considered,  also,  that  if  I  were  to  go  to  Prince- 
ton and  engage  as  tutor,  it  might  be  expected  that 
I  should  join  the  Presbyterian  communion,  and 
enter  the  ministry  in  that  Church.  As  this  would 
not  be  my  wish,  I  am  apprehensive  that  my  situa- 

*  He  was  at  that  time  only  eighteen  years  old. 
f  The  Whig  Society. 


40  MEIWO[R  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

tion  there  would  not  be  altofrether  aoreeable.  *  *  *. 
There  was  another  reason,  which  I  forgot  to  men- 
tion. As  I  intended  to  enter  the  ministry  in  the 
Episcopal  Church,  it  would  be  most  proper  that  I 
should  study  under  an  Episcopal  minister.  Having 
thus  made  up  my  mind,  I  feel  an  ease  which  I  have 
not  enjoyed  since  fall." 

This  subject  takes  up  a  considerable  part  of  five 
different  letters  which  he  wrote  to  his  friend  Mr. 
Skinner.  It  is  somewhat  remarkable,  that  he  who 
at  this  time  was  so  slow,  hesitating,  and  doubtful, 
at  a  later  period  of  his  life  was  as  quick  as  lightning 
in  thought  and  action. 

Dr.  Smith,  on  learning  the  change  which  had 
taken  place  in  his  sentiments,  endeavoured  to  ob- 
viate the  reasons  upon  which  it  was  founded ;  and 
with  respect  to  his  religious  opinions,  he  assured 
him  that  no  improper  bias  should  be  given  to  his 
mind. 

The  President  was  aware  of  his  attachment,  from 
principle  and  habit,  to  the  Episcopal  Church ;  so 
far,  therefore,  from  wishing  to  influence  him  in 
favour  of  another,  he  remarked,  that  it  would  be 
his  duty  to  have  a  constant  reference  to  his  estab- 
lishment in  the  Church  for  wliich  he  was  designed, 
and  that,  agreeably  to  these  views,  he  would  furnish 
him  with  every  facility  in  his  power.  This  letter, 
which  reflected  so  much  honour  on  the  mind  and 
heart  of  the  writer,  and  gave  so  flattering  a  testi- 
mony to  the  scholarship  and  worth  of  Mr.  Hobart, 
led  him  finally  to  comply  with  the  request ;  and 
accordingly,  in  the  spring  of  1794,  he  went  ta 
Princeton.  - 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHIV  HENRY  HOBART.  41 

It  was  the  impression  of  Bishop  White,  that  he 
entered  immediately  upon  his  duties  as  a  tutor  in 
the  College;  but,  according  to  the  account  of  an- 
other, who  was  a  member  of  the  institution,  this 
did  not  take  place  till  the  fall  of  1795,  when  he 
had  attained  his  twentieth  year.  The  manner  in 
which  he  performed  the  duties  of  this  office,  and 
the  impression  which  he  made  on  his  youthful 
companions,  have  been  both  beautifully  and  accu- 
rately described  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beasley,  who  was 
one  of  his  earliest  and  dearest  friends. 

"  Immediately  after  I  had  contracted  an  acquaint- 
ance with  Mr.  Hobart,  one  of  the  tutors  of  the 
College  having  resigned  his  post,  he  was  induced 
by  President  Smith  to  supply  his  place  ;  and  in  this 
manner  he  was  numbered  among  the  officers  of  the 
Seminary.  In  this  capacity  he  acquitted  himself 
with  remarkable  address  and  ability,  uniting  the 
utmost  vigilance  and  activity  in  the  maintenance  of 
discipline,  to  a  winning  affability  of  deportment, 
which  gained  the  affections  and  secured  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  the  students.  In  all  his  public  per- 
formances he  was  listened  to  with  pleasure  and 
admiration ;  in  his  class  he  was  a  diligent  and 
efficient  instructor;  and  in  conducting  all  the  oper- 
ations of  the  College,  a  leading  and  influential 
member  of  the  board  of  Faculty.  He  seems  to 
have  been  formed  by  nature  rather  for  action  tiian 
contemplation.  He  never  was  prone  to  those  habits 
of  close  attention,  severe  application,  and  persever- 
ing inquiry,  by  which  alone  extensive  erudition 
may  be  attained,  and  philosophy  successfully  culti- 
vated ;   but   his   executive   powers  were  of  a   high 

6 


42  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFK  OF  THI^ 

order ;  and  when  he  chose  to  interest  himself  in 
any  subject  of  scientific  or  literary  investigation, 
he  could  make  as  great  a  proficiency  in  it,  in  a 
limited  time,  as  any  one  I  ever  saw.  He  united  all 
the  properties  of  an  efficient  man,  in  the  discharge 
of  active  duties  ;  his  judgment  was  sound  and  clear; 
his  mind  prompt  in  its  decisions,  and  unvarying  in 
purpose;  his  constancy  inflexible,  and  his  persever- 
ance not  to  be  overcome  by  difficulties  or  discour- 
agements. From  the  earliest  period  of  life,  in 
whatever  sphere  he  might  be  moving,  he  would 
always  become  one  of  the  principal  agents  in  con- 
trolling its  transactions. 

"  A  single  instance  may  serve  to  exemplify  his 
vigilance  and  activity  in  the  government  of  the  in- 
stitution. Upon  a  certain  day  in  the  autumn,  the 
students  had  been  in  the  habit  of  making  application 
to  the  Faculty  for  a  holiday ;  and,  more  in  compli- 
ance with  custom  than  law  upon  the  subject,  it  had 
been  uniformly  granted.  On  the  occasion,  however, 
to  which  I  refer,  Dr.  Smith  and  his  colleagues 
thought  it  not  adviseable  to  intermit  the  regular 
exercises  of  the  classes,  and  the  holiday  was  re- 
fused. Some  of  the  more  bold  and  refractory 
amonfT  the  young  men,  who  are  always  to  be  found 
in  such  an  assemblage,  irritated  at  the  denial  of 
a  customary  indulgence,  called  a  meeting  of  the 
classes  in  the  College-hall,  and  proposed,  that  since 
the  officers  of  the  College  had  refused  them  an 
enjoyment  to  which  established  usage  had  given 
them  a  right,  they  should  partake  of  the  indulgence 
without  permission,  refuse  to  appear  in  their  reci- 
tation-rooms, and  proceed  with  those  amusements 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HliNRY  HOBART.  43 

usual  on   days   of  relaxation.     The  proposal  was 
adopted  at  the  meeting,  as  was  to  be  expected  from 
young  men,  with  but  few  dissenting  voices.     Mr. 
Hobart  soon  had  information  of  the  measure,  and 
at  once  saw  the  mischievous  effects  which  the  ex- 
ample would  produce  upon  the  future  government 
and  order  of  the  institution.     He  passed  without 
delay  to  the  house  of  the  President  and  informing 
him  of  the  particulars,  the  Faculty  were  convened, 
who  commissioned  the  President  immediately   to 
assemble    the   classes   separately,   and   present   to 
them,  individually,  the  alternative  of  submission  to 
the  laws,  or  an  immediate  dismission.    The  prompt- 
.   ness  and  decision  upon  the  part  of  the  board,  had 
the  desired  effect.     The  students,  not  having  been 
allowed  time  to  organize  a  party,  or  concert  a  plan 
of  opposition   to  the   government,   abandoned   the 
measure   which   they  had    adopted   with   so   much 
precipitation,  and,  with   one  single  exception,  re- 
turned to  their  studies,  and  the  order  of  College 
sustained  no  further  interruption  on  this  account. 
•It  may  not  be  without  its  advantage  to  remark,  that 
the  young  gentleman  who,  on  this  occasion,  per- 
sisted in  maintaining  his  stand  in  opposition  to  the 
authorities  of  the  Seminary,  although,  in  all  other 
respects,  of  unexceptionable  character  and  conduct, 
found  this  ill-advised  obstinacy  the  source  of  much 
injury  and  unhappiness  to  him  in  future  life. 

"  In  all  other  departments  of  the  Seminary  his 
influence  and  activity  were  equally  felt.  I  remember, 
upon  an  occasion  in  which  an  attempt  was  made  to 
expel  a  member  from  the  Whig  Society,  on  account 
of  some  misdemeanours,  Mr.  Hobart  made  a  speech 


44 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 


against  him,  which  was  compared  by  some  hearers 
to  the  celebrated  address  of  Mr.  Pitt,  in  the  British 
Parliament,  when  it  was  proposed  by  some  member 
to  let  loose  the  savages  upon  the  American  Colonies. 
Although  in  this  estimate  large  allowance  must  be 
made  for  youthful  enthusiasm,  and  incompetency  to 
a  just  decision,  yet  I  can  still  recollect  with  satis- 
faction the  effect  produced  upon  the  minds  of  us 
all,  by  this  display  of  a  fervid  eloquence." 

The  account  of  the  first  interview  of  Dr.  Beasley 
with  Mr.  Hobart,  represents  him  in  a  very  striking 
and  interesting  light. 

"  In  the  fall  of  1795  commenced  my  acquaintance 
with  Bishop  Hobart.  Never  shall  I  forget  the  im- 
pression which  was  produced  upon  my  mind  by  my 
first  introduction  to  him,  and  the  conversation  which 
followed;  having  just  entered  the  College  at  Prince- 
ton as  an  under-graduate  of  the  junior  class.  Upon 
some  occasion  of  business  in  which  his  advice  was 
solicited,  I  was  conducted  into  the  room  which  he 
occupied  as  his  study,  and  saw  a  youth  of  no  very 
prepossessing  appearance,  at  least  to  me  at  that 
period,  seated  at  his  desk,  and  engaged  in  the  study 
of  theology.  I  beheld  before  me  a  figure  of  mid- 
dling size,  sallow  complexion,  features  somewhat 
irregular,  a  countenance  obscured  in  its  expression 
by  the  use  of  glasses  to  correct  the  deficiency  of 
short  sight,  a  contracted  forehead,  and  a  head 
thickly  covered  with  hair,  while  all  its  proportions 
were  imperfectly  defined.  I  had  been  previously 
informed  that  he  was  a  youth  of  uncommon  parts, 
and  had  graduated  in  the  College,  a  few  years  before, 
with  the  highest  honours  of  the  institution.     His 


ItlGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  45 

first  appearance  but  little  accorded  with  the  expec- 
tations which  had  been  awakened  of  his  talents  and 
interesting   properties.     These   unfavourable  pre- 
possessions,   however,  were  immediately  removed 
when  I  was  introduced,  entered  into  conversation 
with  him,  and  caught  the  silver  tones  of  his  voice 
He  received  us  with  that  frank,  cordial,  and  ardent 
manner  by  which  he  was  so  peculiarly  distinguished 
and  in  a  few  moments  I  was  convinced  ihat°he  pos' 
sessed  remarkable  clearness  of  understanding,  and 
readiness  and  power  of  conversation.     He  a^  once 
entered  with  the  deepest  interest  into  the  business 
upon  which  we  had  been  induced  to  seek  an  inter 
view,    gave  us    satisfactory  information   upon  the 
subject,  explained  the  best  mode  of  proceedino-  in 
the  case,  tendered  the  offer  of  any  services  in  future 
and  Heft  him  so  much  gratified  and  delighted,  that 
a  foundation  was  then  laid  for  the  subsequent  inti 
macy  between   us,   which   has  formed  one  of  the 
highest  sources  of  satisfaction  in  life,  and  the  loss 
of  which    at  this  moment,  presents  to  my  imagina- 
tion  and  feelings  one  of  the  widest  vacuities  in  the 
series  of  earthly  enjoyments." 

In  this  spirited  and  striking  sketch  we  behold  the 
touches  of  one  who  was  fond  of  his  subject,  but  who 
nevertheless,  has  not  overstepped  the  modesty  of 
nature  Even  strangers,  as  it  were,  participated  in 
these  feelings,  and  their  lively  impressions  and 
general  recollections  give  the  fullest  confirmation 
to  the  testimony  of  friends.    One  of  these  remarks  :* 

Stat^'  ""■  "''*''  ^"■'""^'  "'"''^  of  the  Senate  of  the  United 


46  MEMOIH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

"I  was  not  iiis  cotemporary  at  Princeton;  he  pre- 
ceded me  by  several  years.  When  I  first  arrived  at 
the  College,  he  v/as  living  at  the  town  as  a  graduate, 
engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  his  theological  studies.  I 
rarely  saw  him,  but  the  place  was  full  of  his  fame. 
Every  one  who  had  opportunities  of  knowing  him, 
dwelt  upon  his  talents  and  power  of  application. 
He  had  gained  whilst  in  College  the  first  honours 
of  his  class,  and  gave  every  presage  of  the  intellec- 
tual eminence  that  awaited  him  in  after  life.  He 
continued  to  keep  up  an  occasional  connexion*  with 
one  of  the  literary  societies  to  which  he  had  be- 
longed, where  his  abilities  were  always  usefully  and 
signally  displayed." 

Another  eminent  person  also  observes  if  "  Bishop 
Hobart  graduated  before  my  entrance  into  College, 
which  was  in  the  spring  of  1794.  In  the  full  he 
returned,  to  pursue  the  study  of  divinity.  It  was  then 
I  saw  him  for  the  first  time,  and  regarded  him  with 
great  interest,  on  account  of  the  distinguished  re- 
putation he  had  established  in  College;  but  lie 
being  a  graduate,  which  separated  him  from  asso- 
ciation with  the  students,  and  I  being  very  young, 
we  seldom  met.  My  chief  recollection  of  iiim  is  as 
a  member  of  the  Whig  Society;  he  generally  at- 
tended the  meetings,  and  always  maintained  there 
a  decided  ascendancy.  From  that  period  till  his 
death  I  seldom  saw  him,  but  observed  his  course  at 
a  distance,  as  marked  by  the  same  elevation  which 
distinguished  him  in  early  life." 

•  It  was  intimate  and  constant. 

t  The  Hon.  Richard  Rush,  late  Minister  to  tbo  Court  of  St. 
James's. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HO  BART.  4? 

The  following  communication  to  the  same  effect, 
is  from  the  Hon.  William  Gaston,  of  North-Caro- 
lina: "  I  had  not  the  honour  of  being  an  associate 
of  the  late  Bishop  Hobart  during  his  collegiate 
course;  he  graduated  in  1793,  and  I  entered  as  a 
member  of  the  junior  class,  at  the  beginning  of  the 
winter  session  of  1794.  He  was  still,  however, 
residing  in  College  when  I  reached  Princeton,  and 
was  tome  a  subject  of  deep  interest,  because  of  the 
animated  contest  in  which  he  had  been  engaged  for 
the  first  honour  of  the  class.  It  was  understood 
that  the  Faculty  had  been  a  long  time  equally  divid- 
ed on  the  question  ;  one  half  voted  for  Mr.  Hobart, 
and  the  other  half  for  Mr.  Bennet  Taylor,  a  young 
gentleman  of  great  promise,  from  Virginia ;  neither 
party  being  willing  to  yield  to  the  other,  it  was  ulti- 
mately agreed  that  Hobart  and  Taylor  should  be 
declared  equal,  and  that  chance  should  decide  which 
of  them  should  deliver  the  Latin  Salutatory,  the 
ordinary  reward  of  the  best  scholar,  and  which  the 
English  Salutatory,  usually  regarded  as  the  second 
distinction.  Dr.  Smith,  it  was  said,  who  espoused 
Taylor's  pretensions,  threw  up  a  quarter  of  a  dollar, 
and  Dr.  Minto,  who  headed  the  other  party,  cried 
out, '  Heads  for  Hobart ;'  and  there  were  some  coarse 
rhymes  in  circulation,  expressing  the  joy  of  the  old 
gentleman,  when  he  found  that  he  had  called  aright. 
The  alarm  about  the  yellow  fever  at  Philadelphia, 
prevented,  however,  any  public  commencement. 
Between  the  graduates  and  students  there  were 
very  few  ties;  although  I  saw  him  every  day,  no- 
thing occurred  to  bring  about  between  us  any  thing 
like  intimacy;  I  retain,  however,  a  vivid  and  distinct 


48  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

recollection  of  his  face,  person,  gait,  manners,  and 
voice;  these  all  rendered  him  interesting;  they  in- 
dicated quickness  of  perception,  activity,  kindness, 
depth,  and  ardour  of  feeling.  With  respect  to  his 
merit  there  was  but  one  opinion — all  esteemed  him 
for  his  genius,  learning,  and  virtue." 

I  shall  add  only  one  more  communication,  from  the 
Hon.  George  M.Troup,  late  Governor  of  Georgia. 

"The  impressions  made  in  early  life  of  the  purity, 
worth,  and  piety  which  distinguished  the  late  Bi- 
shop Hobart,  are  yet  lively,  and  can  never  be  effaced. 
He  was  our  tutor  at  Princeton,  and  was  as  much 
respected  and  as  universally  beloved  as  ever  tutor 
was,  or  as  the  relation  between  preceptor  and  stu- 
dent permits.  His  after  course  truly  corresponded 
with  the  hopes  then  entertained  of  him  ;  and  he 
seems  to  have  fulfilled  to  the  last,  and  to  the  last 
tittle,  the  sanguine  predictions  of  those  senior 
friends  whose  sagacity  predicted  the  future,  and 
detected  the  germs  of  that  usefulness  and  loveliness 
which  it  is  your  province,  as  it  will  be  your  pleasure, 
to  record." 

In  a  country  like  ours,  where  religion  is  uncon- 
nected with  the  state,  receiving  no  support  from 
the  civil  power,  ancient  endowments,  or  from  pa- 
tronage and  Aivour,  but  depending  entirely  on  the 
free-will  offerings  of  those  who  hold  it  in  reverence 
and  honour,  there  are  but  few  worldly  inducements 
to  enter  into  the  ministry.  The  respect  attached 
to  the  sacred  office  is  strictly  dependent  on  the 
character  and  talents  of  those  by  whom  it  is  filled. 
The  highest  emoluments  of  clergymen,  though 
sufficient  to  make  life  comfortable,  in  most  cases, 


RIGHT  RKV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  49 

leave  only  an  inheritance  of  poverty  and  dependence 
to  their  families.  The  prospect  of  advancement  is 
too  limited  in  its  range  for  mere  worldly  ambition. 
The  life  of  a  clergyman,  in  the  correct  and  whole- 
some state  of  public  opinion  which  prevails  among 
us,  is  a  life  of  labour,  of  watchfulness,  and  self- 
denial  ;  not  greater,  indeed,  than  he  is  pledged  to 
lead  by  his  sacred  vows,  but  which  would  be  found 
intolerably  irksome  to  an  unsanctified  mind.  When, 
therefore,  we  see  those  entering  upon  it  to  whom, 
from  their  talents  and  advantages,  every  other  path 
is  open,  we  feel  an  involuntary  respect  for  the  mo- 
tives by  which  they  are  influenced,  and  honour  them 
for  the  sacrifice.  There  are  but  few  instances  in 
which  this  disinterestedness  has  been  more  strik- 
ingly displayed  than  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Hobart. 
He  has  laid  open  the  workings  of  his  mind  and 
the  feelings  of  his  heart  on  the  subject,  in  the  most 
ingenuous  manner;  and  never,  perhaps,  did  any 
one  take  this  step  with  more  simplicity  of  intention, 
greater  humbleness  of  spirit,  or  a  higher  degree  of 
solemnity  and  awe. 

In  his  letters  to  a  friend,  while  he  was  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits,  he  observes: — "You  will  now, 
perhaps,  ask  me  whether  I  intend  to  continue  in 
my  present  business.  It  pleases  God,  and  O  how 
grateful  should  I  be  to  him  for  it,  to  continue  to  me 
impressions  of  the  necessity  of  repentance,  *  *  * 
to  give  me  daily  convictions  of  the  danger  of  liviug 
in  this  world  without  being  prepared,  through  the 
mercies  of  a  Saviour,  to  leave  it;  and  also  to  direct 
my  view  to  another,  in  which  my  happiness  or  misery 
depends  upon  the  use  of  my  time  and  talents  here. 

7 


50  ME!VIorU  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

It  is  but  too  true,  that  these  impressions  are  not 
cultivated  as  they  ought  to  be,  and  on  this  account 
I  ought  to  be  the  more  grateful  for  their  continuance ; 
but  I  hope  the  time  will  soon  arrive,  when  they  will 
be  cultivated  to  a  better  purpose.  *  *  *.  Though 
engaged  in  business,  *  these  things'  are  continually 
rising  to  my  thoughts,  and  1  often  think  it  is  my 
duty  to  prepare  for  the  ministry — prepare  for  it,  I 
say,  for  I  now  want  every  requisite.  *  *  *.  Far  am 
I  from  thinking  that  I  am  qualified  for  it,  either  in 
mental  or  moral  acquirements ;  but,  by  the  goodness 
of  God  I  may  attain  those  qualifications  which  would 
fit  me  for  entering  upon  the  study  of  that  profession. 
*  *  *.  Sacred,  awful,  and  important  would  be  my 
duties;  the  grace  of  God  could  alone  enable  me 
to  execute  them.  O  pray  with  me,  that  in  my  en- 
trance on  this  important  office  I  may  have  a  single 
eye  to  his  glory  and  the  salvation  of  immortal  souls ; 
pray  that  he  would  subdue  within  me  every  desire 
of  honour,  of  emolument,  and  praise,  and  that  I 
may  serve  him  with  sincerity  and  truth. 

"I  am  afraid  that  my  motives  are  not  sufl[iciently 
pure  for  the  ministry,  that  I  have  not  sufficiently  in 
view  the  ends  for  which  it  was  instituted ;  but  I  hope 
that  God,  for  Christ's  sake,  will  bless  me,  and  that 
he  will  make  me,  in  his  hands,  the  humble  instru- 
ment of  turning  many  unto  righteousness." 

How  simple  and  aflfecting  those  devout  eff'usions 
of  his  soul!  How  tender  and  scrupulous  this  search- 
ing of  his  heart  and  reins  before  he  could  presume 
to  meddle  with  holy  things!  How  far  beyond  his 
thoughts  or  his  hopes  the  answer  to  his  prayers! 
How  gloriously  was  he  exalted  for  his  humility! 


RIGHT   UEV.   JOlliX    HKiNKY   HOBAllT.  SW^ 

As  his  spiritual  views  of  the  sacred  office  were 
high,  so  also  was  the  intellectual  standard  which  he 
thought  it  necessary  to  reach  before  he  should  be 
fitted  to  adorn  it.  "  Like  you,"  he  writes  to  his 
friend,  "  I  have  ever  felt  an  almost  insatiable  desire 
after  knowledge,  and  should  consider  myself  fortu- 
nate, were  my  exertions  equal  to  my  desire.  *  *  *. 
I  shall,  however,  endeavour  to  make  a  diligent  use 
of  my  time ;  having  the  ministry  in  view,  I  am  under 
tbe  most  powerful  obligations  to  study  and  improve- 
ment, and  may  it  please  God  to  bless  my  exertions. 
*  *  *.  General  knowledge  is  very  necessary  in  all 
the  professions,  but  I  shall  always  wish  to  make 
human  science  subordinate  to  divine."  *  *  *. 

Yet,  as  the  moral  and  spiritual  qualifications  for 
this  sacred  calling  were  always  uppermost  in  his 
thoughts,  he  considers  it  a  matter  of  little  moment 
that  his  mind  should  be  stored  with  useful  know- 
lodge,  unless  he  should  also  make  greater  progress 
in  the  amendment  of  his  heart  and  life.  "  In  fact, 
the  improvement  of  the  heart,"  he  adds,  "  should 
be  the  end  of  all  our  acquirements;  and  to  no  pur- 
pose are  we  made  wiser,  if  we  are  not  made  better 
men." 

Among  the  numerous  traces  in  these  youthful 
letters,  of  that  sound  and  practical  wisdom  for  which 
he  was  so  distinguished  in  later  life,  the  following 
remarks  will  furnish  a  favourable  example :  "  I  have 
received  directions  for  a  course  of  study  in  divinity 
from  Dr.  White.  *  *  *.  The  Bible  is  ranked  first, 
and  I  think  I  shall  not  be  more  than  able  to  go 
through  it  attentively,  with  the  assistance  of  a  com- 
mentary, (together  with  Locke,)  this  winter.   I  mean 


52  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

not  to  leave  any  author  till  I  have  made  myself 
nearly  master  of  his  subject.  My  sphere  of  reading 
may  be  contracted  by  this  method,  but  it  will  not 
be  made  less  improving. 

"  Dr.  Smith,  who  is  very  attentive  to  me,  seems 
to  wish  that  I  should  begin  to  study  his  system  of 
divinity ;  but  1  am  entirely  opposed  to  studying  any 
system  whatever   till   I   understand   more   of  that 
sacred  volume  from  which  all  their  conclusions,  if 
just,  must  be  drawn.     When  the  fountain   is  open, 
why  have  recourse  to  the  streams  which  it  supplies'! 
Dr.  White  earnestly  recommended  it  to  me  to  study 
the  Bible,  in  order  to  form  my  opinions.     It  seems 
too  generally  studied    in   order  to   support   those 
which  are  pre-conceived,  and  perhaps  this  is  the 
reason  why  many  doctrines  which  are  thought  in- 
consistent  with    it    are    maintained.      When    the 
study  of  the  Bible  is  gone  through,  systems  may 
then  advantageously  be  taken  up." 

With  a  piety  of  the  most  exalted  cast,  which  led 
him  to  regard  the  knowledge  of  sacred  things  as 
our  supreme  concern,  he  united   a  soberness  and 
wisdom  which  always  kept  him  from  undervaluing 
human  learning ;  he  looked  upon  this  as  the  hand- 
maid of  religion,  and  considered  that  all  just  know- 
ledge would  contribute  to  illustrate  the  truth,  and 
to  glorify  God  as  its  fountain  and  source.     With 
this  view,  he  remarks  to  his  friend — "  I  shall  endea- 
vour to  connect  with  the  study  of  divinity,  the  study 
of  moral  philosophy  in  all  its  various  and  extensive 
branches,   and   the  reading   of  history."     And   he 
proposes  to  do  this  chiefly  on  account  of  the  inti- 
mate   relation   which    these    subjects  bear    to  the 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  53 

former,  and  the  light  which  they  throw  upon  theo- 
logy itself.     "  I  mean  also  to  attend  a  part  of  my 
time  to   those  authors   who   treat   on   the   human 
mind.  *  *  *.     I  have  just  begun  to  read  Locke.     I 
find  he  requires  great  attention;  I  am  determined, 
however,  as  far  as  possible,  to  make  myself  master 
of  him,  let  the  time  necessary  to  do  this  be  what  it 
may.  *  *  *."     He  makes  a  similar  observation  in  re- 
gard to  Reid's  Essays.     I  think  he  writes  in  another 
place  :  "  If  you  were  to  read  books  on  metaphysical 
subjects,  you  would  not  only  extend  your  informa- 
tion, but  improve  the  powers  of  your  mind.     These, 
you  know,  are  perfected  not  only  by  the  study  of  the 
mathematics,  but  also  by  those  writings  which  ap- 
proach near  to  them  in  certainty  and  accuracy  of 
demonstration."     Though  it  does  not  appear  that 
he  pursued  this  branch  of  learning   to  any  great 
extent,  yet,  from  the  importance  which  he  attached 
to  it  in  early  life,  and  the  thorough  and  effectual 
manner  in  which  it  was  studied,  we  may,  in  a  mea- 
sure, ascribe  to  it  that  acuteness  of  intellect,  and 
justness  of  discrimination,  which,  together  with  his 
natural  turn  for  generalizing  and  readiness  in  re- 
ducing  all  subjects  to  their  principles,    gave  him 
such  an  advantage  over  men  of  confused  and  im- 
methodical  minds. 

In  this  familiar  correspondence,  where  every 
plan  and  every  occupation  was  freely  laid  open,  I  do 
not  discover  many  traces  of  that  fondness  for  the 
lighter  forms  of  literature  which  are  generally  so 
attractive  to  youthful  minds.  Tiie  study  of  meta- 
physical works,  and  treatises  on  moral  science, 
divided  his   attention  with  the  study  of  theology  ; 


54  MKMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

and  history  and  criticism  appeared  to  have  been  his 
chief  relaxation  from  the  severity  of  both.  Though 
there  was  apparently  therefore,  no  waste  of  his  time 
in  frivolous  reading,  yet  his  improvement  never 
seemed  to  keep  pace  with  his  desires.  He  "  la- 
mented extremely  that  he  had  not  formed,  in  the 
early  {)art  of  his  education,  habits  of  intense  study;" 
and  while  the  successful  result  of  his  labours  was 
attracting  general  admiration,  he  was  constantly  the 
subject  of  self-reproach. 

It  appears  that  Bishop  White  was  anxious  to  have 
him  enter,  as  soon  as  practicable,  into  the  sacred 
office,  and  to  settle  at  Lancaster,  in  Pennsylvania, 
in  the  spring  of  1797.  The  proposition,  however, 
which  at  first  was  readily  accepted,  was  afterwards 
declined,  on  the  ground  of  his  imperfect  preparation 
for  the  ministry,  and  of  some  unexpected  disadvant- 
ages which  would  necessarily  retard  his  improve- 
ment in  the  situation  itself.  The  reasons  are  given 
for  this  change  of  his  views,  in  the  following  letter 
to  Bishop  White : — 

"  Princeton,  Dec.  2Atk,  1 796. 

"  DEAR  SIR, 

"  My  willingness  to  take  charge  of  the  congrega- 
tion at  Lancaster  arose  from  the  opinion  that  it  was 
an  eligible  situation,  where  a  clergyman  might  be 
useful,  and  which,  on  that  account,  duty  called  on 
me  in  some  degree  to  accept.  My  plan,  however, 
had  been  to  remain  much  longer  a  candidate  for 
orders,  and  to  pursue  both  general  and  particular 
studies  to  a  greater  extent.  I  did  not  know,  till  I 
received  your  letter,  that  the  congregation  could 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  55 

not  support  a  minister  without  his  having  recourse 
to  instruction.  As  the  situation  does  not  appear  so 
eligible  as  I  expected,  it  has  become  a  question  with 
me,  whether  I  ought  to  sacrifice  my  present  inclina- 
tion for  study,  and  my  desire  to  be  more  fully  pre- 
pared before  I  come  forward.  These  are  favourite 
objects  with  me,  for  I  consider  that  the  duties  of  a 
professional  life,  and  the  cares  of  the  world,  will 
not  allow  me  as  favourable  an  opportunity  for  im- 
provement as  I  now  enjoy:  I  am  therefore  disposed 
to  decline  coming  forward  in  the  spring. 

My  choice  of  the  ministry  has  arisen,  not  only 
from  a  fondness  for  a  studious  and  literary  life,  but, 
I  trust,  also  from  a  sincere  regard  to  the  sacred  ob- 
jects which  that  profession  contemplates;  when  I 
have,  therefore,  farther  indulged  my  inclination  for 
study,  and  am,  as  I  conceive,  more  fully  prepared, 
I  shall  not  consider  it  as  an  objection  to  any  con- 
gregation that  the  salary  is  small,  or  even  inadequate 
of  itself  to  the  purposes  of  a  maintenance. 
"With  sincere  respect  and  regard, 
'     "  I  am,  dear  Sir, 

"  Yours  affectionately, 

"  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART." 

His  great  indifference  in  regard  to  the  compen- 
sation which  he  should  receive  for  his  services, 
seems  to  have  been  noticed  by  his  mother  with  a 
prudent  caution  against  it,  and  ho  therefore  states 
his  views  to  her  on  this  point  more  explicitly: — 

"My  dear  mother  does  not  seem  properly  to 
understand  what  I  wrote  to  Dr.  White.  I  have  no 
intention  of  remaining  with  any  congregation  that 


56  MKMOIU  OF   THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

will  not  afford  me  a  decent  maintenance:  I  only 
meant  that  I  would  not  insist  on  this  at  first,  as  a 
condition,  before  they  knew  my  abilities  or  charac- 
ter, or  whether  I  would  please  them.  I  considered 
also,  that  most  of  the  Episcopal  congregations  are 
in  such  a  deranged  situation  as  to  need  the  sedulous 
exertions  of  a  settled  minister  to  put  them  in  away 
of  affording  a  maintenance.  I  would  always  wish 
my  income  from  a  congregation  to  rest  on  tho 
opinion  they  had  of  my  intentions  and  exertions. 
Thus  explained,  I  think  you  can  have  no  objection 
to  my  sentiments." 

His  fond  admiration  of  the  beauties  of  nature 
and  the  peaceful  seclusion  of  rural  life,  and  the 
shyness  of  his  natural  disposition,  which  I  have 
often  heard  him  remark,  continued  to  embarrass 
him  long  after  he  had  mixed  extensively  in  society, 
are  represented  with  great  simplicity  and  feeling  in 
the  following  letter  to  one  of  his  college  companions 
and  friends: — * 

*'  Philadelphia,  May  Sth,  1797. 

-  MY  DEAR  FENTON, 

"  I  wrote  a  few  lines  to  Forsyth  the  day  before  I 
went  out  of  town,  and  was  beginning  to  write  to 
you,  when  I  was  called  off.  I  returned,  a  few  days 
ago,  from  Pottsgrove,  where  I  passed  my  time 
more  agreeably  than  in  the  city.  My  relish  for  this 
latter  place  decreases  every  time  I  visit  it.  My 
former  familiarity  with  it,  which  was  a  principal 
ground  of  my  attachment,  wears  off.     So  great  is 

*  Tho  Hon.  Charles  FeiUon  Mqrcer. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HEJVUY  HOBAUT.  67 

the  alteration  in  the  city,  and  in  the  manners  of  its 
inhabitants,  that  I  cannot  now  recognise  the  scenes 
of  cliildhood  which  were  the  sources  of  much 
thouglitless  enjoyment.  Tlie  bustle  of  business, 
the  parade  and  pride  of  wealth,  the  affectation  of 
politeness,  smoothing  the  exterior  only — what  are 
these  to  one  whose  taste  is  formed  to  intellectual 
improvement,  who  values,  above  all  the  splendour 
of  wealth  or  power,  the  sympathy  of  a  feeling  heart, 
and  the  undisguised  expression  of  its  affection  I 
Pottsgrove  was  the  first  place  in  the  country  at 
which  I  had  ever  been,  and  when  I  visited  it  in  the 
glow  of  youth  and  health,  the  scenes  were  so  novel 
and  interesting,  that  I  seemed  to  be  in  a  new  world, 
where  every  object  was  formed  to  enchant  tiie 
senses  and  delight  the  heart.  I  have  thus  formed 
for  this  place  an  attachment,  for  which  an  indiffer- 
ent person  would  probably  be  at  a  loss  to  account. 
I  find  that,  until  I  am  much  changed,  I  can  be 
happy  only  in  the  country.  Ignorant  of  the  arti- 
ficial forms  of  politeness,  and  having  never  had 
much  intercourse  with  tiie  world,  I  am  daily  placed 
in  situations  where  I  am  embarrassed,  and  my  sen- 
sibility, as  yet  under  no  control,  is  wounded;  per- 
haps 1  should  rather  say,  that  a  pride  of  sentiment 
and  feeling  is  mortified. 

"  There  are  but  two  families  that  tie  me  to  the 
city;  without  them  it  has  no  allurements.  I  long 
to  be  at  Princeton,  where  1  shall  be  under  no  re- 
straint in  the  indulgence  of  my  feelings,  and  under 
no  fear  of  deviating  from  the  rules  of  fashion;  and 
let  me  add,  that  I  long  again  to  press  to  my  bosom 
my  disinterested  friend." 


58  MEMOIR  OF  THi:  LIFE  OF  THE 

The  extreme  sensibility  of  Mr.  Hobart,  and  the 
romuntic  character  of  his  youthful  attachments, 
though  the  source  of  the  purest  happiness  and  joy, 
were  very  often,  also,  the  occasion  of  the  greatest 
anguish  and  distress.  He  loved  his  friends  with  so 
much  tenderness,  that  when  he  lost  them,  he  was 
completely  overwhelmed.  Shortly  after  Mr.  Skinner 
had  left  College,  he  formed  an  intimacy  with  an 
amiable  and  interesting  young  man,  Robert  For- 
syth, of  Augusta,  which  grew  into  the  most  perfect 
friendship  during  the  life-time  of  the  former,  and 
which  afterwards,  in  some  measure,  filled  up  the 
void  that  had  been  made  by  his  death.  This  tie 
also  was  soon  broken.  Nothing  can  be  more  pa- 
thetic than  the  following  notice  of  the  event: — 

^^  Princeton,  Aug.  18,  1797. 

"  My  dear  sister  has  no  doubt  seen,  from  the 
paper,  that  her  brother  is  called  to  another  trial — 
yes,  he  has  again  lost  the  object  of  a  sincere  and 
ardent  affection.  It  seems  as  if  I  love  with  tender- 
ness, only  to  be  made  miserable  by  the  loss  of  those 
I  love.  But  my  idols  are  taken  from  me.  I  am 
taught  that  this  is  not  my  home;  that  here  are  not 
my  joys.  Ah  !  if  you  knew  with  what  tenderness 
and  fidelity  I  have  loved  and  been  loved,  however 
enthusiastic  my  language  might  be,  you  would  judge 
it  to  be  sincere. 

"  I  have  received  from  those  here  who  knew  my 
affection  for  Forsyth,  every  attention  and  kindness. 
If  it  should  please  Providence  to  give  me  resigna- 
tion to  his  will,  and  to  save  me  from  depression  of 
spirits,  I  feel  inclined,  with  greater  zeal  than  ever, 


KIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HORAWT,  59 

to  perform  the  duties  of  life;  and  while  I  am  mind- 
ful of  the  uncertainty  of  its  rational  pleasures,  to 
receive  and  enjoy  them  with  humble  thankfulness. 
Happy  indeed  should  I  be,  under  every  loj=s,  !iow- 
ever  severe,  that  I  have  still  affectionate  relations, 
to  whose  kindness  and  care  I  owe  so  much." 
From  Mrs.  R.  Smith  to  Mr.  Hobart: — 

"  Frankford-Hill,  August  22,  1797. 
"  You  judge  well,  my  dear  brother,  in  assuring 
yourself  of  the  entire  sympathy  of  my  heart  in  your 
present  afflictive  trial.  I  am  sensible  that  the  par- 
ticipation of  grief,  though  soothing  to  the  soul, 
avails  little  to  lighten  the  weight  of  the  blow.  I 
need  not  present  to  you  those  motives  of  consola- 
tion which  your  own  well-grounded  piety  will  sug- 
gest; nor  will  it  lessen  the  pangs  of  a  henrt  like 
your's,  to  point  out  the  grief  which  the  unhappy 
mother  of  your  deceased  friend  must  experience: 
the  first,  when  the  burst  of  sorrow  has  subsided, 
will  bring  the  consolation  it  never  fails  to  impart, 
and  the  other  consideration  will  be  a  spring  of  ex- 
ertion to  your  own  soul,  to  enable  you  to  offer  a 
support  and  comfort  to  her's.  And  I  w;ould  entreat 
you,  for  the  sake  of  your  own  dear  parent  and  those 
friends  who  tenderly  love  you,  not  to  yield  to  that 
depression  of  spirits  of  which  you  speak ;  exert  every 
faculty  of  your  soul  against  that  cruel  languor  into 
which  it^will  sink  you — that  death  of  usefulness  and 
active  virtue.  Alas  !  even  in  its  happiest  state,  how 
many  trials  does  this  probationary  being  present  to 
us,  which  nothing  but  an  early  acquired  fortitude, 
the  result  of  a  rational  and  well-grounded  hope  of 


60  31EMOIR   OF  TME  LIFE  OF  THE 

a  better  life,  can  enable  us  to  support!  Let  this, 
my  dear  brother,  while  it  teaches  you  resignation, 
temper  the  fervour  and  ardency  of  those  affections, 
which,  however  amiable  in  themselves,  will  embitter 
too  much  your  passing  days,  unless  calmed  by  the 
full  persuasion  that  tliey  extend  beyond  the  grave. 
They  were  given  us  by  tiie  eternal  Author  of  our 
being,  as  sources  of  enjoyment,  and  not  misery, 
while  we  look  for  their  full  fruition  only  in  a  more 
exalted  state  of  existence." 

In  the  course  of  this  year  he  made  a  visit  to  Vir- 
ginia, in  company  with  Mr.  Mercer.  Tiie  kind  and 
gratifying  attentions  which  he  received  from  the 
family  of  his  friend,  the  frankness,  warmth,  and 
hospitality  of  the  southern  people  in  general,  and 
the  union  of  education,  refinement,  and  taste  with 
the  simplicity  of  rural  life,  made  so  pleasing  an 
impression  on  his  mind,  that  the  state  of  society 
seemed  to  him  more  like  those  visions  of  domestic 
bliss  which  the  imagination  sometimes  forms,  than 
a  reality  which  he  himself  should  ever  have  wit- 
nessed and  enjoyed.  The  recollection  of  it  was 
constantly  before  him,  and  he  was  daily  and  hourly 
confirmed  in  the  plan  which  had  occurred  to  him 
of  settling  in  Virginia.  This  scheme,  however,  was 
by  no  means  agreeable  to  his  friends  at  home. 
Besides  the  opportunities  which  were  offered  of 
procuring  a  settlement  in  one  of  the  vacant  parishes 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Philadelphia,  there  was 
some  reason  to  expect  that  he  might  receive  an 
appointment  in  the  city  itself.  The  prospect  of 
this  appointment,  it  is  to  be  inferred  from  a  letter 
which  he  wrote  to  his  sister  about  this  time,  was 


WF' 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  6l 

peculiarly  pleasing  to  her  and  his  mother,  as  it 
would  bring  him  once  more  into  the  bosom  of  hia 
family;  but  so  great  was  his  repugnance  to  a  city 
life,  that  he  could  neither  indulije  their  wishes  nor 
hopes.  In  order,  however,  to  gratify  them  by  a 
nearer  residence,  he  relinquished  his  design  of 
settling  in  Virginia,  and  concluded  to  take  charge 
of  some  vacant  churches  in  the  vicinity  of  Phila- 
delphia. 

"  Princeton,  Feb.  2d,  1798. 
"  If  my  dear  sister  had  opposed  my  strongest 
prejudices  and  wishes,  the  affectionate  manner  in 
which  her  reasons  were  addressed  to  me,  would 
have  operated  strongly  on  my  feelings ;  but  when 
my  plans  for  my  future  life  were  far  from  being 
settled,  reasons  drawn  from  the  highest  motives 
of  usefulness  and  duty,  and  urged  by  one  whose 
tender  regard  for  my  happiness  I  have  so  often 
felt,  could  not  fail  of  determining  my  mind.  In  the 
hope,  then,  of  uniting  usefulness  with  retirement, 
so  valuable  to  me,  both  as  it  subserves  to  study 
and  cherishes  virtuous  feelings;  and  with  the  strong 
desire  of  yielding  happiness  to  my  friends,  and 
deriving  it  myself  from  all  these  sources,  I  have 
concluded  to  direct  my  views  solely  to  the  congre- 
gations near  the  city:  and  I  will  inform  Dr.  White 
that,  if  they  should  be  willing,  I  will  engage  with 
them  for  a  year.  If  this  determination  affords  you 
any  pleasure,  I  wish  you  to  believe,  that  one  of  its 
principal  enjoyments  to  me  will  be,  the  opportunity 
it  will  afford  of  an  interchange  of  affectionate 
attentions  with  those  to  whom  nature  and  duty  so 
strongly  attach  me. 


62  MEMOIR  OP  THE  LIFE  OP  THE 

"  In  all  my  plans,  worldly  objects  have  had  bat 
little  place.  If  this  be  an  error,  it  is  one  which  my 
feelings  make  natural,  and,  I  believe,  invincible.  I 
believe  a  life  in  the  country  can  be  more  happy 
than  one  in  the  city ;  and  though  I  do  not  say  that 
no  considerations  will  induce  me  to  submit  to  the 
latter,  yet  they  must  be  those  of  high  commanding 
duty.  In  an  unreserved  and  affectionate  intercourse 
with  my  near  connexions,  in  mutually  bestowing 
and  receiving  kind  and  tender  offices  ;  more  espe- 
cially, in  reclining  with  confidence  on  some  sincere 
and  feeling  friend  ; — such  are  the  enjoyments  which 
I  desire.  Scenes  of  bliss  like  the  last  have  for  a 
moment  delighted  me,  and  passed  away.  It  is  only 
in  a  higher  state  of  being  that  I  can  hope  for  the 
permanent  possession  of  them.  • 

"  There  is  no  duty  more  in  unison  with  my  feel- 
ings, nor  of  stronger  obligation,  than  that  which 
regards  the  tender  parent  to  whose  unwearied  and 
solicitous  care  I  owe  so  much.  Whatever  comfort 
I  can  afford  her,  will  not  compensate  her  for  her 
kindness  and  goodness  to  me.  For  her  faithful 
discharge  of  her  duty  to  us  all,  I  trust  there  is  in 
reserve  for  her  much  higher  happiness  than  she 
can  receive  here. 

"  I  shall  not  be  able  to  make  the  necessary  pre- 
parations for  taking  orders  until  the  fall,  but,  as  I 
mean  to  leave  College  in  the  spring,  I  shall  have  an 
opportunity  of  embracing,  in  part  at  least,  your  plan 
of  amusement  and  exercise  for  me.  I  often  antici- 
pate, with  lively  feelings,  the  pleasure  I  shall  enjoy 
from  the  society  of  my  friends,  of  which,  of  late 
years,  1  have  had  so  little.     Your  last  aon  has  a 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHiN   HEISRY  HOBART.  63 

claim  to  my  attention  from  being  named  after  me, 
but  I  will  not  promise  to  love  him  more  than  the 
rest.  May  my  dear  sister  derive  all  that  happiness 
from  her  children  of  wliich  her  affection  and  atten- 
tion to  them  make  her  so  truly  deserving." 

Among  the  youthful  and  cherished  companions 
with  whom  Mr.  Hobart  was  surrounded,  there  was 
one  who  did  not  appear  to  yield  in  attachment  to 
the  rest,  though  differing  from  him  in  his  system  of 
faith,  which  is  so  often  the  occasion  of  alienation 
and  dislike.  This  was  the  distinguished  Dr.  Kollock, 
who  enjoyed  the  highest  reputation  at  College,  was 
made  divinity  professor  at  an  early  age,  and  rose 
to  an  almost  undisputed  pre-eminence  among  his 
Presbyterian  brethren  as  a  preacher,  by  his  glowing 
and  impassioned  eloquence.  The  following  letters 
from  him,  which  are  by  turns  both  gay  and  grave, 
breathe  that  spirit  of  kindness  and  liberality  which 
marked  all  his  communications  and  intercourse  with 
his  valued  friend: — 

"  Nassau- Hall,  June  Wth,  1798. 

"  I  have  too  long  neglected  to  answer  your  agree- 
able letter,  but  you  know  that  our  resolutions  on  this 
subject  are  often  unavoidably  broken  within  the 
walls  of  a  College,  though  our  affection  may  remain 
undiminished. 

"  I  have  at  length  finished  Patrick,  and  begun 
Lowth.  The  former  is  like  a  desolate  field,  where 
the  soil  may  produce  some  valuable  plants,  butiall 
the  surrounding  scenery  appears  unengaging;  whilst 
the  latter  resembles  those  fields  of  Arabia  which  he 
describes,  where  the  lofty  cedar,  the  medicinal  balm, 


€4  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

and  the  fragrant  flower  bloom  beside  each  other.  I 
think,  however,  that  he  is  too  lavish  of  his  correc- 
tions of  the  sacred  text;  for  though  some  of  them 
are  absolutely  necessary,  yet  I  do  not  think  that  any 
should  be  introduced  merely  to  cause  a  parallelism 
of  the  lines,  or  to  add  to  the  beauty  of  an  expression. 
It  is  of  too  much  consequence  to  establish  the  belief 
of  the  people  concerning  the  general  authenticity  of 
the  Scriptures,  to  permit  such  freedom. 

"  H has  been  confined  to  the  house  by  his 

foot;   he  frets   and  fumes  about  it,  to  borrow  Fal- 
stiiff's  expression,  *  like  a  piece  of  gummed  velvet.' 

M studies  yet  extremely  hard  ;  every  day  I  see 

new  cause  to  admire  the  strength  of  his  judgment 
and  the  tenderness  of  his  heart. 

"  I  suppose  that  by  this  time,  my  dear  friend,  you 
have  become  a  minister  of  Christ.  I  pray  God  that 
you  maybe  happy,  zealous,  and  successful;  that  the 
blessed  Spirit  of  grace  may  rest  upon  you,  and  make 
your  preaching  efficacious  for  arresting  the  pre- 
sumptuous and  deluded  sinner,  for  pouring  consola- 
tion into  the  wounded  conscience,  and  for  building 
up  the  saints  in  holiness  and  faith.  May  you  pass 
through  this  life  supported  by  your  Saviour;  and 
when  you  stand  before  his  tribunal  to  render  your 
final  account,  may  you  see  many  souls  who  have 
been  converted  by  your  ministry,  and  who  shall  be 
crowns  of  your  everlasting  rejoicing.  Oh  !  my  friend, 
may  we  both  meet  there,  and,  though  bearing  dif- 
fer3nt  names  here  below,  may  we  both  be  interested 
in  the  salvation  of  the  common  Redeemer." 


^'  niGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOB  ART.  65 

"  Elizahcth-Toicn,  Oct.  24//?,  1798. 

"  The  letter  of  my  dear  friend  would  not  have 
remained  so  lonjj  unanswered,  had  not  a  fit  of  sick- 
ness  debarred  me  from  the  use  of  my  pen ;  I  now 
resume  it  for  the  first  time  after  my  recovery. 

♦'  What  is  tliat  undefinable  charm  which  attaches 
us  so  strongly  to  the  scenes  of  our  youth,  and  so 
higidy  endears  to  us  our  native  home  \  Five  months 
have  swiftly  flown;  they  were  spent  with  friends 
most  dear  to  me,  and  in  occupations  most  pleasing, 
yet  I  return  with  joy  to  Elizabeth,  and  visit  with 
delight  those  places  which  recall  times  that  are 
past. 

*'  My  principal  study  during  the  last  session,  was 
*  Warburton's  Divine  Legation.'  He  seems  to  have 
chosen  this  topic,  that  he  might  display  his  almost 
unlimited  knowledge,  since  there  is  scarcely  a  sub- 
ject of  science  which  he  has  not  introduced  into  it. 
He  abounds  with  much  rude  railing,  and  has  a  num- 
ber of  very  singular  paradoxes,  but  his  leading  pro- 
position is  proved  with  a  strength  of  argument 
which  is,  I  think,  irresistible.  Whatever  may  be 
your  opinion  of  his  primary  argument,  you  will  be 
highly  pleased  in  reading  him. 

•*  The  question  so  bitterly  agitated  between  our 
Churches  on  the  question  of  original  sin,  has  been 
the  subject  of  my  meditation  for  some  time  past; 
and  you  will,  perhaps,  smile  when  I  tell  you  that  I 
have  found  myself  obliged  to  renounce  the  senti- 
ments of  the  rigid  Calvinists.  The  doctrine  of  im- 
putation, as  held  by  them,  appears  to  me  inconsist- 
ent with  the  justice  of  God.  I  can  very  readily 
grant,   that,  in   cons<;quence  of  the  sin   of  Adam, 

9 


66  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE  ^ 

mankind  should  become  subject  to  temporal  dentli, 
since  imtnorlairty  was  not  a  debt  hut  a  free  gift,  and 
we  couhl  have  no  claim  to  it,  though  we  had  re- 
mained for  ever  innocent.  lean  likewise  allow  that 
mankind  have  hence  received  a  moral  taint  and  in- 
fection, by  which  tliey  have  a  propensity  to  sin;  but 
my  mind  revolts  from  the  idea,  that  I  should  be 
sentenced  by  a  God  of  justice  and  mercy  to  an 
clernily  of  misery,  because  of  the  transgressions  of 
om;  wi>o  sinned  before  I  was  born,  and  in  a  capa(tity 
of  knowing  or  hindering  what  he  did.  On  this 
ground  I  think  we  may  both  meet. 

"  H lias  left  Mrs.  Knox's,   and  taken  up  his 

residence  in  a  solitary  hamlet  entirely  encircled  by 
the  woods.  He  thinks,  perhaps  he  thinks  with  pro- 
priety, tiiat  he  can  there  cultivate  the  better  affec- 
tions of  his  nature,  and  prosecute  his  studies  with 
greater  advantage  than  at  Princeton.  He  may  plead 
Milton's  authority  for  the  latter  part  of  his  senti- 
ment, who  very  elegantly  tells  us  ilnit 

•  Wisdom's  self 

Oft  seeks  to  sweet  retired  solitude, 

"Where  with  Hrt  best  nurse.  Contemplation, 

Shs  plumes  her  feathers,  and  lets  grow  her  wings. 

That  in  the  various  bustle  of  resort 

Were  all  too  ruffled.' 

I  should  have  preferred  for  my  retreat,  however, 
that  season  wlum  all  nature  puts  on  an  aspect  of 
cheerfidness.  But  I  b(dievc  that  my  disposition  is 
not  snfficicmlly  romantic  to  be  invariably  pleased 
with  reiirement;  for,  afier  the  novelty  of  the  land- 
scapes has  ceased,  I  have  beheld  them  with  a  sigh, 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAKT.  67 

acid   cxclaimefl,    *  Tho  society  of  one  dear  friend 
would  be  wortli  tliem  ;dl.'" 

He  resided  at  Princeton  until  the  spring  of  1798, 
■when  lie  returned  to  Philndelpliin,  .ind  was  ordained 
in  the  month  of  June,  by  Bishop  White.  There  he 
had  frequent  opportunities  of  enjoying  the  society 
of  this  most  amiable  man  and  distinguislied  divine, 
and  of  profiting  by  his  counsels  concerning  his 
studies.  In  allusion  to  this  period,  the  Bisho[),  with 
that  modest  simplicity  which  is  natural  to  him, 
makes  the  followinij  remarks: — 

**  Although  his  signal  proficiency  was  the  fruit  of 
ids  own  talents  and  industry,  yet  I  have  even*  since 
pleased  myself  with  the  hope  that  he  rnay  have  de- 
rived some  little  aid  from  what  it  oecnrred  to  me  to 
suggest  to  him.  To  this  satisfaction  I  have  i>iven 
v-ent  in  my  printed  sermon,  delivered  nearly  twenty 
years  ago,  at  his  consecration  to  the  Episcopacy." 

Havitig  known  him  from  his  childhood,  watched 
Jiis  progress  in  the  various  stages  of  his  education, 
/ind  rejoiced  in  the  success  of  his  literary  efforts, 
the  Bishop  now  felt  a  deeper  interest  in  his  young 
friend  than  ever,  from  the  paternal  and  sacred  rela- 
tion in  which  he  had  been  broun^ht  to  him.  He  was, 
therefore,  exceedingly  anxious  to  keep  him  near  to 
him,  with  a  view  to  his  settlement,  either  in  the  parish 
of  which  he  was  Rector,  in  case  of  a  vacancy,  or  to 
add  to  the  number  of  his  clergy,  in  the  event  of  the 
building  of  a  new  church  in  Philadelphia,  which  was 
then  in  contemplation.  In  compliance  with  these 
kind  views  and  wishes,  Mr.  Hobart  accepted  the 
charge  of  Trinity  Church,  Oxfor<l<  and  All  Sn'mi3% 
Pfiquf»stan. 


W  MEMOIR  OF  Tlia  I.irP-  OF  THK 

It  was  remarked  of  him,*  with  the  fond  partiality 
of  friendship,  from  whicli  there  must  alvvnys  be  a 
degreo  of  abatement,  "  that  no  clergyman  ever 
commenced  his  pul[)it  exertions  under  better  aus- 
pices, and  with  more  distinguished  success.  He 
was  universally  admired  both  as  a  preacher  and  a 
man,  and  every  vacant  church  was  at  his  choice. 
His  melodious,  full,  and  powerful  voice,  just  and 
eloquent  conceptions,  and  impassioned  manner  of 
delivery,  gave  a  charm  to  his  appearances  in  the 
pulpit  that  gratified  all  hearers,  and  afforded  the 
prognostics  of  that  eminence  to  which  he  afterwards 
attained  as  a  sacred  orator." 

Upon  his  settlement  in  this  parish,  the  friend  who 
was  his  associate  during  his  preparation  for  a  mer- 
cantile life,  had  here  an  opportunity  of  renewing  that 
intimacy  with  him,  which,  amicrst  dissimilar  occu- 
pations and  pursuits,  and  the  different  circumstances 
in  which  they  were  placed,  was  found  to  be  in  no 
degree  impaired;  and  the  recollection  of  which, 
amid  all  the  changes  and  chances  of  this  mortal  life, 
is  still  most  fondly  cherished  by  the  survivor.  They 
were  for  some  time,  at  Frankfort,  inmates  of  the 
same  family,  and  occupied  the  same  room.  Tliis 
friend  saw  him  constantly,  also,  in  the  exercise  of 
his  ministry,  and  had  abundant  opportunities  of 
learning  in  what  high  estimation  he  was  held  by  his 
parishioners.  The  result  of  these  personal  obser- 
vations agrees  With  the  accounts  which  have  been 
given  by  others.  During  the  time  that  he  officiated 
in  these  churches,  he  discharged  all  his  duties  with 

*  By  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beasley. 


niCIIT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  nOBART. 

the  greatest,  fidelity  and  zeal,  and  acted  under  l!ic 
influence  of  the  same  Iiiu^li  motives  by  wiiicli  he  was 
uniformly  governed  in  after-life.  The  peoph;  were 
entirely  satisfied  with  liis  labours,  attentive  to  his 
instructions,  and  returned  his  pastoral  kindness 
with  the  warmest  affliction;  hut  as  they  were  scat- 
tered over  a  considcrahle  extent  of  count rv,  so  much 
time  was  consumed  in  travellinrr  through  Ids  parish 
to  fierform  the  important  duty  of  visiting  the  differ- 
ent members  of  his  congregations,  that  he  found 
but  little  was  left  for  study.  Fie  soon  perceived  the 
utter  impossil)ility  of  reconciling  the  disadvantages 
of  his  situation  with  that  high  standard  in  the  know- 
ledge of  his  profession  to  which  his  ardent  and  am- 
bitious mind  aspired  :  under  the  influence  of  this 
consideration,  therefore,  he  determined  to  leave  it. 

The  congregation  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  in  Piii- 
ladelphia,  were  anxious  to  appoint  him  an  Assistant 
Minister  to  their  Rector,  Dr.  Magaw;  but  adhering 
to  his  original  [)lan  of  a  more  retired  life,  he  ac- 
cepted, in  1709,  an  invitation  to  Christ  Church, 
JNcw-Brunswick. 

This  new  arrangement,  where  the  [)arish  was 
confined  within  narrow  bounds,  and  consequently 
required  less  of  his  time  for  paro(ddal  duties,  eii- 
nbled  him  to  prosecute  his  studies  with  <n-eater 
diligence  and  effect.  It  also  gave  him  an  of)por- 
tnniiy  of  making  frequent  visits  to  his  friemis  at 
Princeton,  and  of  enjoying  the  advantages  of  the 
College  library.  Here,  among  the  Professors  and 
his  former  companions  in  study,  he  both  imlulged 
those  social  feelings  in  which  his  heart  delighted, 
and  engaged  in  those  literary  and  scientific  discus- 


70  MEMOIR  OF  TJIE  LIFE  OF  THE 

sions  by  wliicli  liis  mind  was  strongtbonerl  nnd 
improved.  He  w.is  nno  of  a  litllo  knot — Kollock, 
How,  Bc!isl(!y,  and  Mcrcor— who  at  that  lime  jjavc 
fl.itlL'rini]:  prcsairos  of  llicir  ftitiiro  famo,  and  who 
aft«;rwards,  with  somo  difftTnnct;  in  ihc  measure, 
justified  the  expectations  of  them  wiiicli  were  then 
ciilcrtaitjed. 

The  siliiMlion  at  New-Brunswiek,  however,  did 
not  correspond  wiili  his  wishes:  the  lowr),  tliough 
small,  had  mu(di  of  ilie  noise  and  bustle  of  a  city, 
and  even  the  environs  were  witliout  any  degree  of 
rural  beauty.  His  attention  was  then  turned  towards 
Hempstead,  on  Long-Island  ;  but,  from  a  letter  which 
he  wrote  to  Mr.  Mcercer,  it  does  not  appear  that  ho 
looked  forward  to  this  change  with  any  expectation 
of  realizing  his  imaginary  [)icture  of  contentiniMit 
and  bliss.  Tiie  congregation  was  large,  wealthy, 
and  respectable,  zealous  in  their  attachment  to  the 
Church,  kind  and  attentive  to  their  minister,  hos- 
pitable, affectionate,  and  generous,  but,  for  the  most 
part,  plain  and  rustic  in  their  manners,  and  with 
ft;wer  persons  in  it  of  education  and  refinement 
than  are  usually  found  in  conntry  towns  so  near  to 
a  populous  city.  This  was  particularly  the  case  in 
that  part  of  the  parish  where  the  church  and  par- 
sonage were  situated.  He  had  just  declined  an 
opportunity  of  settling  in  St.  Mark's  Church,  which 
had  been  recently  built  in  the  suburbs  of  New- 
York,  from  his  desire  for  greater  reliremerjt;  but 
Iterc  he  dreaded  a  solitude.  There  would  be  but 
little  of  that  intellectual  pleasure  in  his  intercourse 
with  the  people,  which  he  had  always  been  accus- 
tomed to  enjoy  in  the  society  of  his  friends;  and 


RIGHT  UEV.  JOHN  HENRY  IIOBART.  71 

Ills  only  rP55oiirco  would  1)0  in  occnpying  liij?  mind 
wholly  with  study  nnd  tiin  (hitios  of  liis  proffssioii. 
The  vi!l.i;r(;  of  HcMupstiNid,  .-dso,  lyiugon  iIk;  border 
ofnu  uncuhivated  [)iain,  possessed  hut  few  of  those 
rural  chartns  whiidi  were  the;  chicd*  ground  of  his 
nllaeliment  to  a  country  life.  Notwithstanding', 
however,  its  want  of  attractions,  he  nccejjted  the 
invitation  to  the  parish,  and  [)assed  in  it  some  of 
liis  calmest  and  happiest  days. 

In  tlie  s[)ring  of  1800   In;   married   Mary  Goodin 
Chandler,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Chandler,*  for- 

•  Tlio  incidental  connexion  of  Dr.  Chandler  witli  the  subject  of 
this  biotfiapliy,  it  is  thought,  will  be  a  sufficient  reason  for  introducing 
a  few  hr'ittf  notices  of  his  life  and  character  into  a  work  to  which 
they  do  not  strictly  belong. 

He  was  born  at  Woodstock,  Massachusetts,  on  the  26th  of  April, 
172S,  and  was  cdiicatod  at  Yale  College,  New-H  iven.  In  1751, 
he  went  to  England  for  holy  orders,  and,  as  his  family  think, 
received  them  from  the  Bishop  of  London. 

On  his  return  he  was  made  Rector  of  St.  John's  Church,  Eliza- 
beth-Town, New-Jersey.  In  that  humble  and  quiet  retreat  he  was 
enabled  to  indulge  bis  passionate  fondness  for  study,  and  to  make 
such  large  acquisitions  both  to  his  professional  and  general  know- 
ledge, as  to  give  him  a  very  high  rank  among  his  clerical  brethren. 
A  question  of  deep  interest  to  the  Episcopal  Church  in  America  had 
been  much  discussed  among  her  friends,  and  it  was  at  length  thought 
expedient  that  it  should  be  presented  to  the  consideration  of  the 
civil  and  ecclesiastical  authorities  in  England.  The  want  of  Bisiiops 
in  the  colonies  was  found,  on  many  accounts,  to  be  a  serious  evil. 
The  rite  of  confirmation,  established  by  primitive  usage,  and  re- 
garded as  a  matter  of  Christian  duty,  could  never  be  administered. 
The  Clergy,  independent  of  each  other,  had  no  ecclesiastical  supe- 
riors to  unite  or  control  them.  Discipline  could  not  be  exercised 
without  so  man}'  difficulties  as  would  often  aflbrd  an  opportunity  to 
the  unworthy  to  escape  from  the  punishment  which  they  deserved. 
The  expense  and  danaers  of  a  vo3'age  to  England,  for  the  purpose 
of  obtaining  orders,  deterred  many  from  entering  into  the  ministry, 


72  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE      : 

morly  Rector  of  St.  John's  Cliiirch,  Elizfibetli-Town, 
Ncw-Jorscy.     Never  Iiave   I  known  a  choice   that 

wlio  would  have  adorned  it ;  and  tlie  impossibility  that  a  Bishop, 
residing  at  that  distance,  should  procure  accurate  information,  in  all 
cases,  of  the  characters  of  the  candidates  for  orders,  was  the  causo 
of  many  being  admitted  into  it,  by  whom  the  Church  was  disho- 
noured. All  tiiese  things  tended  to  alienate  from  her  the  affections 
of  her  members,  and  to  retard  her  growth. 

At  the  request,  therefore,  of  his  brethren.  Dr.  Chandler  wrote  a 
work  on  the  subject  of  American  Episcopacy,  in  which  he  showed, 
witli  great  force  of  reasoning,  the  expediency  and  advantage  of  having 
Bisiiops  consecrated  for  the  colonies.  From  his  decided  attachment 
to  the  Churcli  and  State,  and  from  his  strong  desire  to  promote  the 
welfare  of  both,  he  treated  the  subject  with  that  judgment  and  temper 
which  entitled  it  to  consideration  at  home,  but  wiiich,  it  appears, 
however,  from  the  neglect  of  his  counsel,  it  did  not  receive. 

He  also  wrote  another  interesting  work,  the  Life  of  Dr.  Johnson, 
first  President  of  King's  College,  New-York,  which,  though  merely 
intended  as  a  biographical  sketch,  is,  nevertheless,  a  history  of  the 
early  state  of  the  Episcopal  Ciuirch  in  Connecticut,  and  of  the  dif- 
ficulties which  she  encountered,  from  prejudice  and  ignorance,  in 
her  establishment  and  progress. 

The  salary  of  Dr.  Chandler  as  a  INIissionary  of  the  Society  for 
the  Propagation  oftiie  Gospel,  was  £59  sterling  a  year;  on  which, 
with  soma  slight  contributions  from  th';  congregation,  a  parsonage, 
and  small  glebe,  he  lived  with  such  a  degree  of  ease  and  conjfort, 
and  with  such  a  free  and  unlimited  hospitality,  as  are  remembered 
by  many  who  are  still  living,  both  with  wonder  and  pleasure.  I 
have  scarcely  ever  met  with  any  aged  person  belonging  to  our 
Church  who  had  visited  Elizabeth-Town,  that  did  not  delight  m 
recalling  the  many  happy  hours  which  he  had  spent  in  that  agreeable 
family,  and  at  that  hospitable  board. 

Extensively  as  Dr.  Chandler  was  known  and  respected  by  stran- 
gers, he  was  still  more  beloved  by  his  parishioners  and  friends. 
Cheerful  in  his  temper,  easy  and  accessible  in  his  intercourse  with 
others — fond  of  study,  of  retirement,  and  all  rural  pursuits,  but  yet 
of  blending  and  sweetening  them  with  social  enjoyment,  remaining 
much  at  home,  and,  from  an  aversion  to  preaching  elsewhere,  never 
out  of  his  own  pulpit,  it  was  natural  that  his  affability,  his  kindness. 


CI 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOB  ART.  7' 

was  more  happy,  nor  a  union  more  blessed.     She 
united  with  her  personal  attractions,  a  simplicity  of 

his  constant  presence  and  unintermitted  labours,  should  greatly  en- 
dear him  to  his  people. 

He  was  exceedingly  intimate  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Learning,  witlr 
Dr.  Wilkins,  who  was  then  a  lawyer,  but  who,  at  a  later  period  of 
life,  entered  into  the  Church,  and  with  Dr.  Seabury,  who  was  after- 
wards Bishop  of  Connecticut.  When  the  storm  of  the  revolution- 
was  gathering,  and  so  many  important  interests  were  at  stake,  they 
frequently  met  at  each  other's  houses,  and  in  the  discussion  of  the 
agitating  questions  of  the  times,  and  in  intellectual  and  social  enjoy- 
ment, made  dearer  to  them  by  their  union  of  sentiments,  and  the 
uncertainty  how  long  it  might  be  continued,  they  never  knew  when 
to  part.  I  have  heard  it  stated,  that  they  generally  sat  up  till  a 
very  late  hour  at  night,  and  that  the  day  has  often  dawned  upon 
their  conversations. 

Mr.  Wilkins,  who  was  a  man  of  an  ardent  temperament  and  mas- 
culine mind,  and  Dr.  Chandler,  who  held  a  ready  and  vigorous  pen, 
warmly  espoused  the  loyal  cause.  Tiiey  wrote  a  number  of  political 
pieces,  and  circulated  them  with  great  activity  and  diligence,  in  the 
hopes  of  checking  the  progress  of  what  they  conscientiously  believed 
a  rash  rebellion  and  a  crying  sin.  The  current,  however,  soon  set 
so  strongly  against  them,  that  they  were  compelled  to  yield  to  it ; 
and  political  excitement  was  so  violent,  that  they  were  under  the 
necessity  of  leaving  the  country.  Mr.  Wilkins  went  to  Nova- 
Scotia,  and  Dr.  Chandler  to  England. 

The  loyalty,  fidelity,  and  zeal  of  the  latter,  wexe  there  held  in 
high  estimation  by  government;  and  his  attachment  to  the  Church, 
his  reputation  as  a  scholar,  and  his  attainments  as  a  divine,  procured 
for  him  the  most  gratifying  attentions  from  the  Clergy.  From  a 
brief  diary  which  he  kept,  it  appears  that  he  was  often  consulted  by 
those  in  authority,  on  questions  of  the  greatest  importance  in  relation 
to  the  colonies.  He  was  received  with  such  a  marked  and  universal 
respect  into  the  society  of  the  most  distinguished  persons,  as  has  verv 
rarely  been  rendered  to  any  one  from  our  country  in  private  life.  It 
is  a  mark,  both  of  his  literary  reputation  in  England,  and  of  the 
degree  of  influence  which  he  was  supposed  to  have  with  persons  in 
power,  that  he  drew  up  a  petition  to  the  queen  in  favour  of  Dr. 
Dodd,  at  the  request  of  his  friends;   but  considerations  of  public 

10 


74  iWEWOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

character,  a  gentleness  of  manners,  an  evenness  of 
temper  and  sweetness  of  disposition,  a  kindness  of 

policy  overpowering  all  private  feelings,  this  petition,  like  every 
other,  proved  unavailing,  and  answered  no  other  purpose  but  that 
of  a  new  and  soothing  expression  of  sympathy  and  commiseration 
for  his  unhappy  fate. 

During  the  ten  years  which  he  passed  in  London,  he  received, 
in  addition  to  his  salary  from  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the 
Gospel,  an  annual  allowance  from  government  of  £200  sterling. 
He  was  made  a  Doctor  of  Divinity  at  the  University  of  Oxford. 
He  was  appointed  to  the  Bishoprick  of  Nova-Scotia,  an  office  which 
he  was  compelled  to  decline,  from  the  progress  of  a  cancerous  affec- 
tion in  his  face ;  and  upon  his  death,  a  pension  was  allowed  to  his 
widow  until  the  day  of  her  own. 

When  Dr.  Chandler  wrote  to  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  that 
it  would  be  impossible  for  him  to  take  charge  of  the  diocese  of  Nova- 
Scotia,  he  received  from  him  a  very  kind  and  courteous  reply,  ex- 
pressing his  respect  for  his  character,  and  his  regret  for  his  affliction, 
and  begging  him  to  point  out  some  suitable  person  who  might  be 
appointed  in  his  place.  Upon  his  recommendation  the  Bishoprick 
was  conferred  on  Dr.  Inglis,  who,  previous  to  the  peace,  had  been 
Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  in  New-York. 

While  there  were  so  many  things  to  gratify  him  in  his  protracted 
absence  from  his  family,  it  was  also  a  delightful  circumstance  to  him, 
that,  amidst  all  the  troubles  and  distresses  of  the  times,  they  met 
with  nothing  but  favour  and  kindness  at  home.  He  was  enabled  to 
spare  enough  from  his  income  for  their  comfortable  support.  His 
people  retaining  a  grateful  recollection  of  his  services,  and  an  un- 
diminished respect  for  his  character,  notwithstanding  the  difference 
of  his  political  course,  exerted  their  influence  to  protect  them  from 
the  depredations  and  violence  of  the  revolutionary  army,  when  any 
part  of  it  happened  to  be  quartered  in  the  town  ;  and  the  British 
soldiers  treated  them  with  the  courtesy  and  respect  which  were  due 
to  friends.  In  the  fluctuations,  therefore,  of  success  between  the 
contending  parties,  the  parsonage  was  often  made  a  place  of  com- 
mon refuge. 

Dr.  Chandler  returned  to  Elizabeth-Town  in  1786,  but  the  cancer 
in  his  face  continuing  to  increase,  he  was  never  able  to  resume  his- 
pastoral  duties,  and  finally  died  of  it  in  1T90. 


& 


inCIIT  REV.  JOHN  IIENUY   HOnAUT.  75 

heart,  a  depth  of  humility,  devotion,  and  piety,  that 
not  only  fitted  her  to  be  a  pleasing  companion  and 
helper  to  one  whose  duty  it  was  to  "  frame  and 
fashion  himself  and  family  according  to  the  doctrine 
of  the  Gospel,  but  to  be  with  him  a  wholesome 
example  and  pattern  to  the  flock  of  Christ."  In  the 
most  retired  and  lowly  situation,  she  adapted  herself, 
without  difficulty  or  constraint,  to  the  circumstances 
in  which  she  was  placed,  and  won  the  good  will  and 
regard  of  those  around  her;  she  adorned  prosperity, 
repressing  all  elation  of  spirit,  and  making  others, 
as  far  as  possible,  partakers  of  her  happiness;  and 
now,  in  her  widowhood  and  desolation,  by  her 
meekness,  her  submission,  her  trust  in  God,  and 
faith  in  his  promises,  she  is  at  once  an  object  to  her 
friends  of  sympathy  and  admiration. 

The  situation  at  Hempstead  was  probably  found. 

The  different  pamphlets  and  fughive  pieces  winch  were  written 
by  him  in  this  country  before  the  revolution,  and  during  his  resi- 
dence in  England — the  innumerable  letters  which  he  received  from 
eminent  persons  abroad,  and  from  his  friends  at  home,  and  those 
wliich  he  himself  sent  to  his  family — would  have  formed  a  valuable 
collection  of  papers  for  the  illustration  of  our  civil  and  ecclesiastical 
fiistory,  and  furnished  ample  materials  for  an  interesting  account  of 
his  own  life.  But  some  time  after  his  death,  when  the  fierce  passions 
•excited  by  civil  broils,  had,  in  a  great  measure,  died  away;  when 
those  who  had  been  separated  in  unhajjpy  times  by  diflerent  views  of 
duty,  once  more  met  as  brethren  and  friends,  and  when  no  reasonable 
danger  could  have  been  apprehended  from  retaining  these  papers 
in  the  possession  of  the  family — they  were  alarmed  by  the  timid  and 
ill-timed  advice  of  a  person  whom  they  respected  and  loved,  and 
the  whole  collection,  with  some  few  exceptions,  was  entirely  de- 
slroyed.     Thus  the  fullest  memorial  that  will  ever  be  given  of  one 
of  whom  so  much  might  have  been  said,  will,  perhaps,  be  found  in 
this  brief  and  imperfect  sketch. 


W'  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

upon  trial,  as  Mr.  Hobart  had  apprehended  before- 
hand, neither  suited  to  his  taste  nor  wishes.  It  was, 
in  fact,  too  limited  a  scope  for  the  talents  and  ener- 
gies of  his  restless  and  aspiring  mind.  He  was  not 
apparently  aware  of  the  source  of  his  weariness  and 
disquietude,  nor  of  the  higher  part  which,  in  the 
designs  of  Providence,  he  was  destined  to  fill;  but, 
under  the  influence  of  these  undefinable  feelings, 
of  the  very  existence  of  which  he  seemed  uncon- 
scious, he  took  the  first  step  in  that  more  useful 
and  glorious  career  which  he  afterwards  ran. 

In  the  month  of  December,  1800,  he  received  an 
invitation  as  an  Assistant  Minister  to  Trinity  Church, 
New- York;  a  most  desirable  settlement,  on  every 
account,  to  any  one  who  was  fitted  for  a  participa- 
tion in  such  an  extensive  and  weighty  charge.  From 
a  letter  which  he  wrote  shortly  after  to  Mr.  Mercer, 
he  seems  to  have  entered  upon  his  duties  with  ac- 
tivity and  zeal,  but  without  the  slightest  degree  of 
self-complacency  or  pride.  Indeed,  among  all  his 
letters  which  I  have  seen,  there  is  not  one  besides 
which  is  so  shaded  with  dejection  and  gloom.  This 
was  certainly  the  consequence  of  the  nervous  irrita- 
bility of  his  system,  and  by  no  means  the  habitual 
or  prevailing  temper  of  his  mind ;  for  in  company 
there  was  generally  a  remarkable  cheerfulness  both 
in  his  air  and  conversation,  and  occasionally  the 
greatest  exuberance  of  spirits. 

Mr.  Hobart's  letter  to  Mr.  Mercer. 

"Neiv-York,  31arch  ISth,  1801. 

"  My  long  silence  is  indeed  without  excuse.     It 

would  be  folly  in  me  to  pretend  that  engagements 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAUT.  77 

have  prevented  me  from  writing  to  you,  though 
these,  from  my  change  of  residence,  have  been 
numerous.  My  mind,  however,  has  generally  been 
so  depressed,  that  I  have  not  had  the  resolution  to 
take  up  my  pen.  Though  I  have  not  lately  had  those 
fits  of  melancholy  to  which  I  was  formerly  subject, 
yet  I  seem  to  be  the  victim  of  a  languor  that  indis- 
poses and  disqualifies  me  for  exertion.  This  state 
of  my  mind  I  attribute  partly  to  constitutional  ma- 
lady, but  particularly  to  my  having  been  of  late 
hurried  through  scenes  so  novel  and  so  wholly  op- 
posed to  my  former  sentiments,  habits,  and  pursuits. 
From  a  wise  law  of  nature,  however,  which  gradually 
bends  the  mind  to  the  circumstances  in  which  it  is 
placed,  I  am  becoming  more  reconciled  to  my  situ- 
ation ;  and  I  am  awakened  from  this  fatal  torpor  by 
the  reflection,  that  I  am  sacrificing  to  it  the  highest 
duties  and  enjoyments  of  life. 

"  I  moved  to  town  last  December,  at  which  time 
I  entered  on  the  duties  of  my  oflice  as  one  of  the 
Assistant  Ministers  of  Trinity  Church.  I  find  enough 
to  occupy  my  thoughts  and  my  time.  I  have  so  many 
interruptions,  and  so  many  engagements,  that  my 
mind  and  feelings  become  relaxed  and  dissipated. 
I  am  endeavouring  to  introduce  order  and  energy 
into  my  studies  and  duties,  which  will,  no  doubt 
have  a  favourable  eflfect  on  my  mind.  I  can,  how- 
ever, never  like  a  city.  I  pant  for  the  enjoyments 
of  the  country,  and  still  indulge  the  hope  of  being 
one  day  able  to  realize  a  plan  of  happiness  some- 
what like  my  wishes.  Who  is  there  that  does  not 
indulge  this  hope? 

"  Yet  do  not  suppose  that  I  am  unhappy ;  from 


MEiVIOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

the  lofty  regions  of  inexperienced  fancy,  in  which 
we  often  soared,  I  have  sunk  down  to  the  plain,  but, 
perhaps,  more  valuable  enjoyments  of  common  life. 
Except  when  under  the  uncontrollable  influence  of 
constitutional  melancholy,  I  can  generally  find  tran- 
quil happiness  in  the  endearments  and  duties  of 
domestic  life — in  the  enlivening  hopes  of  friendship 
— in  plans  of  literary  improvement  and  professional 
duty;  and,  if  I  know  my  own  heart,  I  can  say,  that, 
regarding  this  world  as  the  scene  of  much  vice  and 
misery,  and  containing  no  bliss  but  what  will  be  in- 
finitely exalted  in  that  which  is  to  come,  I  cherish 
always  with  pleasure,  and  sometimes  with  triumph, 
the  prospect  of  leaving  it,  and  entering  on  the  per- 
fection and  unutterable  happiness  of  my  everlasting 
existence." 

In  this  new  and  important  situation  Mr.  Hobart 
fully  sustained  the  reputation,  as  a  preacher,  which 
he  had  already  acquired.  His  discourses  were 
written  with  all  the  freedom  and  glow  of  youthful 
feeling,  and,  though  not  bearing  the  test  of  rigid 
criticism,  nor  suiting  the  taste  of  the  more  scrupu- 
lous and  refined,  were  yet  exceedingly  acceptable 
to  the  great  body  of  the  people.  The  evangelical 
spirit  which  they  always  breathed — the  bold  and 
direct  appeals  which  they  addressed  to  the  hearts 
and  consciences  of  men — the  infusion  of  his  own 
tenderness  into  religious  truths,  which  gave  to  them 
their  native  impressiveness  and  force — the  indiffer- 
ence which  he  himself  felt  to  the  world,  that  made 
others  more  sensible  of  its  emptiness  and  vanity ;  all 
these  things  were  calculated  to  arouse  the  attention 
of  his  hearers,  to  awaken  their  zeal,  inflame  their 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  79 

piety,  and  urge  them  on  with  increasing  diligence 
in   their  Christian  course.     Though    he   had   not 
studied  elocution  with  such  care  as  to  be  always 
accurate  in  emphasis  and  accent,   yet  nature  had 
gifted  him  with  a  voice  but  seldom  equalled  in  com- 
pass, richness,  and  melody;  so  that,  by  the  variety 
of  its  intonations,  he  could  give  such  an  effect  even 
to  the  most  common  sentiments,  as  very  often  could 
not  have  been  produced  by  the  highest  eloquence  in 
others.    There  was  not  the  slightest  appearance  of 
labour  nor  effort,  even  when  he  was  most   impas- 
sioned ;  and  he  could  throw  into  expostulation  all  its 
earnestness,  into  terror  a  thrilling  energy,  into  per- 
suasion a  soothing  tenderness,  into  pathos  the  very 
plaintiveness  of  woe.    The  effect  of  his  manner  was 
also  increased,  in  the  early  part  of  his  ministry,  by 
his    preaching   memoriter,    a    practice    which    he 
adopted  from   his  extreme  short-sightedness,  and 
which  gave  to  his  sermons  the  ease  and  animation 
of  extemporaneous  discourses;  and  after  this  prac- 
tice was  abandoned,  he  still  made  himself  so  familiar 
with  them,  as  to  avoid  embarrassment  and  confusion 
in  their  delivery.     This  is  a  just  description  of  him 
as  he  appeared   upon   his   first  settlement  in  the 
parish,  when  free  from  the  restraints  of  that  sober- 
ing influence  which  crept  upon  him  in  maturer  age, 
and  from  that  regard  which  he  felt  to  be  due  to  the 
gravity  of  his  office,  when  raised  to  a  more  exalted 
station.     But  the  striking  characteristics  of  his  elo- 
quence were   never  materially  altered;   and  while 
his  discourses  were  greatly  improved  in  their  ar- 
rangement, matter,  and  style,  they^were,  to  the  last, 
delivered  with  remarkable  animation  and  force. 


80  I>[EMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

He  also  performed  his  duties  as  a  pastor  with  the 
utmost  promptitude,  fidelity,  and  zeal.  He  attached 
great  importance  to  this  part  of  his  sacred  functions, 
both  on  account  of  the  edification  and  comfort  which 
were  thus  administered  to  the  people,  and  the 
respect,  affection,  and  influence  which  these  atten- 
tions were  so  apt  to  secure  for  the  clergy  them- 
selves:  He  was,  therefore,  always  ready  for  any 
parochial  call.  No  considerations  of  ease  or  plea- 
sure were  suffered  to  interfere  with  it;  the  engage- 
ments of  company,  whether  at  home  or  abroad, 
were  interrupted;  study  was  laid  aside;  every 
occupation  or  pursuit,  however  agreeable,  gave 
place  to  this  important  duty.  The  cheerfulness  with 
which  it  was  performed  cannot  be  duly  appreciated, 
unless  it  be  remarked,  that  he  was  settled  in  a 
parish  consisting  of  three  large  congregations,  in 
which  there  were,  at  all  times,  so  many  of  the  sick 
and  the  dying  who  needed  the  consolations  of  reli- 
gion, and  where  the  cemeteries  which  belonged  to 
it  were  the  common  burial-places  of  nearly  all  the 
Episcopalians  in  a  populous  city. 

He  was  singularly  happy  in  his  visitation  of  the 
sick,  as  I  have  often  had  occasion  to  observe  when 
I  have  chanced  to  be  with  him.  The  ease  and 
freedom  of  his  manner,  united  with  the  greatest 
tenderness  and  delicacy,  at  once  removed  embar- 
rassment, and  drew  forth  from  those  with  whom  he 
conversed,  an  unrestrained  expression  of  their  feel- 
ings and  views.  The  readiness  with  which  he 
applied  his  general  observations,  and  the  felicity 
with  which  he  adapted  his  quotations  from  Scripture 
to  the  respective  circumstances  of  their  case,  gave 


RIGHT  KEV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOIJART.  Sl 

to  all  that  he  said  a  peculiar  interest  and  force  ; 
and  the  impression  was  made  still  deeper,  by  the 
solemnity  and  fervour  with  which  he  offered  up  the 
prayers.     Regarding  also  his  vow  not  only  to  visit 
the  sick  but  the  well  within  his  cure,  he  devoted  as 
much  of  his  time  to  this  duty  as  could  conveniently 
be  taken  from  his  other  numerous  and  pressing  en- 
gagements.  Among  these  he  mingled  with  the  easy 
familiarity  of  a  friend,  imposing  no  restraint  upon 
their  cheerful  conversation  or  innocent  enjoyments^ 
but  securing  their  good-will   and  aifection  by  his 
sociability  and  kindness,  and  at  the  same  time  not 
losing  sight  of  the  dignity  of  his  character,  nor  the 
obligations  of  his  calling,  but  often  availing  himself 
of  suitable   opportunities  to  season  common  dis- 
course with  such  words  as  might  "  minister  grace 
unto  the  hearers."     How  often  are  the  recollections 
of  these  happy  hours  awakened  in  thousands,  with 
a  gush  of  tenderness  that  they  can  be  enjoyed  no 
more ! 

The  following  letter  of  Mr.  Hobart  to  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Boucher,  vicar  of  Epsom,  was  sent  by  Mr. 
Mercer,  on  a  visit  which  he  made  to  England  in 
1802  :— 

"  Neic-York,  Nov.  22d,  1802. 
"  Rev.  John  Boucher, 

"  SIR, 

"  1  am  sensible  that  an  apology  is  due  to  you 
from  a  stranger,  for  the  liberty  which  he  takes  of 
addressing  you.  As  a  minister  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  cherishing  a  warm  interest  in  its  welfare, 
I  have  been  led  to  esteem  your  character  as  one  of 

11 


82 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 


its  principal  defenders,  and  from  my  connexion, 
by  marriage,  witli  one  of  the  late  Dr.  Chandler's 
daughters,  to  revere  you  as  his  valued  friend. 

"  My  acquaintance  with  Dr.  Chandler's   family 
did   not  commence   until  several    years    after   his 
death.     I  regret  this  circumstance  the  more,  as  all 
his  papers,  which  I  conceive  would   have  thrown 
considerable  light  on  the  history  of  the  Church  in 
this  country,  have  been  destroyed.    I  am  persuaded 
that  a  Church  in  which  you  once  so  zealously  la- 
boured, must  still  be  the  object  of  your  solicitude; 
and    if,   amidst   the    profound   literary  pursuits   in 
which  you  arc  at  present  engaged,  you  could  find 
leisure  for  other  objects,  no  person  could  be  better 
qualified  for  recording  and  elucidating  the  early  and 
the  more  advanced  history  of  the  American  Church. 
Such  an  account  of  its  origin  and  progress  as  you 
would  be  able  to  give,  would  be  a  valuable  acquisi- 
tion to  literature,  to  ecclesiastical  history,  and  to 
the    cause    of    sound    principles    in    religion    and 
government.     Should  your  engagements  forbid  the 
prosecution  of  an  extensive  plan,  such  hints  as  you 
might  be  able  to  put  to  paper,  would  be  a  valuable 
present  to  any  friend  of  the  Church  here,  to  whom 
you  might  think  proper  to  transmit  them.     I  have 
often  deeply  regretted  that  the  venerable  clergy  are, 
one  by  one,  passing  away,  without  any  exertions 
being  made  to  secure  for  posterity  the  important 
information  which  they  possess  on  the  past  affairs 
of  the  Church."*  h 

Mr.  Hobart  to  Mr.  Mercer. 

*  An  answer  to  this  letter  was  received,  but  it  cannot  be  found 
among  the  Bishop's  papers. 


ItlGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HO  BART.  83 

"  Neic-  York,  Dec.  \st,  1802. 

*'  Thanks  be  to  Providence,  my  clearest  Mercer, 
the  weather  since  you  sailed  has  been  uncommonly 
fine,  and  though  we  have  now  a  north-easterly 
storm,  I  trust  you  are  out  of  its  reach.  I  have 
followed  you  constantly  with  my  thoughts,  my  affec- 
tions, my  prayers.  Though  I  cannot  think  without 
apprehension  and  gloom  of  your  encountering  the 
dangers  and  lonely  terrors  of  the  deep,  yet  I  believe 
that  your  resolution  and  your  virtue  will  bear  you 
up  in  cheerfulness  and  good  spirits;  at  any  rate, 
before  this  letter  reaches  you,  you  will  have  landed 
in  the  country  of  our  forefathers;  and  in  the 
various  and  interesting  scenes  which  open  to  you, 
you  will  find  ample  compensation  for  the  fatigues 
of  your  voyage.  Accuse  me  not  of  repining,  if  I 
say,  that  I  long  to  be  with  you :  to  travel  with  such 
a  friend — to  share  with  him  the  exalted  pleasure  of 
contemplating  the  beauties  of  nature,  and  the  sub- 
lime productions  of  art — of  viewing  the  manners, 
and  beholding  the  eminent  personages  of  one  of 
the  most  celebrated  countries  in  the  world — would 
almost  be  the  height  of  my  earthly  ambition." 

When  Mr.  Mercer  called  on  Dr.  Boucher  to  pre- 
sent the  letter  which  was  written  by  Mr.  Hobart  for 
information  in  regard  to  the  history  of  the  Episcopal 
Church  in  America,  he  was  gone  on  a  journey  to 
the  west  of  England. 

The  manner  in  which  Mr.  Mercer  was  received 
by  his  family,  and  the  agreeable  picture  which  he 
draws  of  his  domestic  arrangements,  character, 
and  habits,  will  not,  perhaps,  be  unacceptable  to 
the  reader. 


^4  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

"  London,  July  29th,  1803, 
"  Leicester  Place. 
"  Since  my  return  from  France  I  have  spent  my 
whole  time  in  London,  with  the  exception  of  only 
two  excursions,  one  to  Windsor,  Eaton,  Twicken- 
ham, Richmond,  and  Kew;  and  the  other,  to  see 
Dr.  Boucher,  at  Epsom.  The  Doctor  and  his  wife 
were  from  home.  She  had  accompanied  him  in  a 
visit  to  Cumberland,  which  he  had  been  induced  to 
undertake  by  the  advice  of  his  physician.  He  had 
been  recently  alarmed  by  a  paralytic  stroke,  which 
had  injured  his  speech.  It  did  not  otherwise  affect 
his  health,  which  has  been  uncommonly  good  for  a 
man  of  his  advanced  age.  His  step-daughter,  the 
child  of  his  present  and  third  wife,  who  is  about 
eighteen,  received  me  very  politely ;  and  she  and 
her  young  companions  induced  me  to  spend  the 
greater  part  of  two  days  at  Epsom.  A  young  Scotch 
linguist,  and  a  clergyman  of  the  same  age,  appeared 
to  be  inmates  of  the  family.  There  was  a  young 
lady  from  Cumberland,  the  niece  of  the  Doctor, 
who  had  been  making  a  long  visit  to  Epsom,  and 
two  other  ladies,  one  of  whom  was  the  governess 
of  the  little  girls  who  are  placed  under  his  instruc- 
tion. I  dined  in  the  school-room,  and  became 
quite  domiciliated  in  this  hospitable  and  respectable 
mansion  before  I  left  Epsom.  I  believed,  for  a 
moment,  that  I  saw  the  old  patriarchal  simplicity 
revived;  and  I  felt  deeply  interested  in  the  journey 
which  the  venerable  head  of  this  amiable  family 
was  performing.  His  garden,  his  grounds,  his 
house,  his  library,  and  the  affection  with  which  he 
seemed  to  be  regarded  by  all  around  him,  gave  me 


RlfiHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  85 

a  very  pleasing  view  of  liis  character.  They  tohl 
me  that  he  used  to  say,  that  his  three  temporal 
blessings  were  his  family  first,  his  books  next,  and 
his  garden.  He  preserves  an  affectionate  remem- 
brance of  our  country.  His  daughter  pointed  out 
to  me  many  American  plants  and  trees  which  he 
had  nurtured  with  great  care.  I  was  particularly 
pleased  with  his  library,  which  is  the  largest  I  ever 
saw  in  a  private  house — it  must  contain  five  thou- 
sand volumes.  The  most  interesting  object  in  it 
was  a  pile  of  quarto  manuscripts,  two  feet  high, 
which  comprised,  I  was  told,  the  first  part  of  his 
Archaeological  Dictionary.  The  unfinished  remain- 
der, 1  understood,  would  occupy  as  many  more, 
and  require  his  unremitting  attention  for  several 
years.  All  the  books,  amounting  to  six  or  seven 
hundred  volumes,  which  he  had  consulted  in  the 
course  of  his  labours,  were  neatly  arranged  in  the 
middle  of  his  library,  on  a  separate  stand  of  shelves. 
The  linguist,  who  went  with  me  to  the  library,  and 
who  represented  the  Doctor  in  his  school  during 
his  absence,  told  me  that  he  had  occasionally 
assisted  him  in  his  work ;  and  his  niece,  who  came 
in  while  we  were  conversing,  to  see  what  had  be- 
come of  me,  said  that  she  had  written  some  part  of 
those  manuscripts.  This  amiable  and  ingenious 
young  lady,  who  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  had  also 
assisted  him  in  selecting  the  words  peculiar  to  her 
country  and  the  west  of  England,  which  she  now 
calls  her  permanent  residence.  From  the  windows 
of  his  library  the  Doctor  has  a  prospect  of  some  of 
his  American  trees,  and  of  a  beautiful  green  sur- 
rounding a  sheet   of  clear  water ;  this  is  itself  en- 


86  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

compassed  by  a  walk,  consisting  of  a  double  row 
of  evergreens  and  tall  trees,  which  obstructing  the 
view  of  every  outward  object,  must  peculiarly  dis- 
pose the  mind  to  abstract  study.  I  bade  adieu  to 
this  charming  retreat  and  this  worthy  family,  which 
reminded  me  sorrowfully  of  my  distant  home  and 
friends,  on  the  evening  of  the  second  day  after  I 
entered  Epsom." 

Mr.  Mercer  went  abroad  at  a  time  of  great 
political  excitement  in  this  country,  when  the  two 
parties  which  divided  it  blended  all  domestic  ques- 
tions with  foreign  partialities  and  dislikes ;  the  one 
inclining  to  favourable  views  of  England,  the  other 
to  an  enthusiastic  admiration  of  France.  That 
time  has  happily  passed  by,  and  with  a  greater 
degree  of  national  character  and  feeling  among 
ourselves,  there  is  also  much  more  of  impartiality 
and  justice  shown  towards  others.  He  visited 
England  with  unfavourable  impressions,  which,  not- 
withstanding a  few  agreeable  circumstances  that 
he  met  with,  were  for  the  most  part  confirmed.  In 
replying  to  some  communications  on  this  head, 
Mr.  Hobart  endeavours  to  combat  his  prejudices, 
both  in  a  serious  and  playful  strain. 

"  New-  York,  July  9th,  1803. 
"  I  can  enter  perfectly  into  the  state  of  your 
feelings  with  respect  to  the  English.  You  never 
were  very  partial  to  them,  and  the  selfish  pursuits 
and  pleasures  of  a  dissipated  commercial  metro- 
polis are  not  well  calculated  to  increase  your 
esteem  for  them.  In  London  you  certainly  see 
the  English  character  at  the  worst.     Among  the 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  87 

genteel  country  families,  I  am  told,  it  wears  a  very 
different  and  far  more  amiable  aspect.  The  Eng- 
lish are  certainly  not  quick  in  their  feelings — it  is 
not  easy  to  obtain  a  place  in  their  hearts — they  even 
view  strangers  with  jealousy  till  they  find  them 
worthy  of  their  esteem ;  but  I  have  always  supposed, 
that  when  a  person  once  obtained  a  familiar  footing 
with  them,  they  would  go  great  lengths  to  please 
him.  And  they  certainly  possess,  above  every  other 
nation  in  the  world,  the  means  of  doing  so.  It  is 
one  thing  to  possess  those  qualities  that  in  an  in- 
stant seize  upon  your  affections ;  it  is  another,  to 
possess  those  that  preserve  and  increase  permanent 
regard.  The  pride  of  the  English  may  be  inordi- 
nate and  repulsive,  but  it  is  a  pride  that  disdains 
affectation,  that  scorns  to  use  the  easy  coin  of  pro- 
fessions, that  refuses  to  take  to  the  bosom  every 
person  whom  they  see,  at  the  very  instant  that  he 
makes  his  appearance  among  them.  Scrutinizing 
and  suspicious,  they  weigh  character,  and  then 
extend  regard  in  proportion  to  merit.  I  am  per- 
suaded that,  were  you  thrown  out  of  those  selfish 
and  cunning  circles  in  which  business  now  leads 
you  to  move,  and  to  remain  some  time  out  of  the 
metropolis,  your  amiable  heart  would  find  those  on 
whom  it  would  repose.  Did  I  wish  to  flirt  away  a 
few  weeks,  to  awaken  and  gratify  my  volatile  feel- 
ings, I  would  visit  France.  Did  I  wish  to  obtain 
permanent  enjoyment,  to  expand  my  mind  where  the 
most  noble  principles,  the  most  useful  pursuits,  and 
the  most  solid  virtues  have  flourished  for  centuries, 
I  would  take  up  my  abode  in  England.  I  was  par- 
ticularly pleased   with   your   account  of  St.  Cyr- 


88  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

Cocquard.  You  must  forgive  me,  if  I  say  I  think  his 
letter  had  a  little  the  appearance  of  that  extravagant 
sensibility  for  which  the  French  have  always  been 
remarked.  Oh !  you  will  say,  poor  St.  Cyr-Cocquard 
is  not  an  Englishman.  Well,  my  dear  Mercer,  I 
must  go  to  England  to  get  cured  of  my  undue 
prejudices  in  favour  of  that  nation.  The  account 
you  gave  me  of  Dr.  Andrews  was  very  interesting. 
I  find  they  have  some  good  2^'^^<^<^^^^'*'s  in  England. 
You  were  not  very  civilly  treated,  to  be  sure,  in  St. 
James's  Church;  but  do  reflect,  that  in  a  church  of 
so  much  eclat,  if  all  the  strangers  and  all  the  poor 
people  were  immediately  accommodated,  the  church 
would,  after  a  short  time,  become  so  thronged,  that 
the  lawful  possessors  could  not  get  seats." 

The  strong  attachment  of  Mr.  Hobart  to  the  dis- 
tinctive principles  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  his 
bold,  active,  and  persevering  defence  of  them  at  all 
times,  through  good  and  through  evil  report,  were 
striking  peculiarities  in  his  character  and  life.     He 
was  constantly  endeavouring  to  rouse  others  to  a 
sense  of  their  importance,  and  by  his  indefatigable 
labours,  his  noble  enthusiasm,  even  in  the  cause  of 
soberness  and  truth,  and  the  influence  of  his  talents, 
character,  and  station,  he  revived  the  languid  zeal 
of  Episcopalians,  gave  a  new  tone  to  their  senti- 
ments in  this  diocese,  and  stamped  the  impress  of 
his  own  mind   and  feelings  on   thousands  through- 
out the   Church  at   large.     Fro  Ecdesia  Dei  he 
adopted  in  as  full  a  sense  as  the  "venerable  prelate* 
by  whom  these  words  were   first  chosen,    as   the 

:'  *  Archbishop  Whitgift. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  UOBART.  89 

Standard  of  his  wishes,  his  duties,  his  labours,  Km 
dying  prayers."     There  are  no  means  of  ascertain- 
ing what  gave  this  strong  bent  to  his  mind  in  regard 
to  the  distinguishing!  principles  of  the  Church:  lie 
was  nurtured  in  her  bosom  indeed,  but  at  a  very 
early  period  of  his  life  he  was  removed  to  a  Pres- 
byterian college,  withdrawn  for  many  years  from 
the  services  of  his  own  communion,  and  evidently 
estranged  in  a  measure  from  his  "  first  love,"  though 
it  was  never  entirely  discarded  or  forgotten.    While 
acting  as  a  tutor  at  Princeton,  he  performed  in  his 
turn  the  prescribed  services  in  the  chapel,  accord- 
ing to  the  Presbyterian  mode;  but  he  was  always 
apprehensive    of  the    dangerous    influence   of  his 
residence  at  that  institution  on  his  attachment  to 
the  Church,  and  with  a  view,  perhaps,  of  fortifying 
himself  in  her  principles,  he  often  entered  into  dis- 
cussions on  these  points  with  Dr.  Smith  and  Mr. 
Kollock,  in  which  he  was  aided  and  sustained  by 
some  of  his  Episcopal  friends.     Perhaps  this  very 
circumstance  of  contending  with  the  president,  who 
was  so  greatly  his  superior  in  age  and  attainments, 
may  have  led  him  to  a  stricter  examination  of  the 
subject  than  he  would  have  otherwise  made,  with 
a  view  to  a  more  able  and  successful  defence.     But 
his  warm,  decided,  and  unchangeable  attachment 
to  the  Church  in  her  peculiar  and  distinctive  cha- 
racter, must,  no  doubt,  be  chiefly  attributed  to  the 
course  of  his  reading  in  the  further  progress  of  his 
ecclesiastical  studies. 

In  promoting  her  welfare,  the  most  humble  efl^orts 
were  exalted  in  his  sight  by  the  dignity  and  import- 
ance of  the  object.     Much  that  ho  has  done  in  this 

12 


90  MEMOrii  OF  THli  LIFE  OF  THE 

way  was  never  publicly  known.  The  hope  of  doing" 
good  was  his  only  motive,  and  the  advantage  of  it  to 
others  his  only  reward.  With  this  view  he  revised, 
with  great  care,  the  excellent  treatise  of  Stevens 
on  the  Nature  and  Constitution  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  republished  it  in  1803.  Instead  of 
retaining  its  original  form  of  a  general  dissertation, 
lie  altered  it  into  one  which  would  adapt  it  more 
especially  to  the  young,  by  prefixing  questions  to 
the  several  parts,  am[)lified  the  topics  which  had 
been  treated  with  too  much  brevity,  supplied  new 
matter  where  it  appeared  to  be  defective,  and  so 
enlarged  and  improved  it,  as  to  give  it  an  air  of 
originality  and  freshness,  and  greatly  to  enhance  the 
value  of  the  work.  This,  however,  is  only  learned 
from  the  manuscript  before  me,  for  it  was  published 
without  any  allusion  to  himself,  or  the  pains  which 
he  had  bestowed  upon  it. 

In  the  spring  of  1804  he  published  his  Companion 
for  the  Altar,  a  work  which,  though  humble  in  its 
pretensions,  was  raised  to  an  unexpected  degree 
of  importance  by  the  notice  which  it  attracted 
among  tlie  Clergy  of  other  denominations,  and  by 
the  obloquy  which  it  brought  upon  him  for  the 
fearless  expression  of  his  sentiments.  It  was  written 
with  the  purest  and  holiest  intentions,  and  with  an 
especial  view  to  the  spiritual  advantage  of  the 
members  of  our  own  communion.  After  having 
explained  the  nature  of  the  Lord's  supper,  and 
directed  the  meditations  of  the  reader  to  every 
point,  both  in  faith  and  practice,  which  is  connected 
with  a  due  preparation  for  this  sacred  ordinance, 
he  then  states  from   whose   hands   alone   it  could 


UIGIIT   UEV.   JOIIIN   UENIIY   IIOUAUT. 


properly  be  received.     He  considers  it  essential  to 
the   efficacy   of  tiie   sacrament,    that  it  should  be 
administered  by  those  who  are  invested  with  lawful 
authority  to  administer  it,  and  that  this  authority  is 
only  derived,  by  an  outward  comuiission,  from  the 
Bishops  of  the  Church.     For  this  opinion,   which 
appears  to  have  been  regarded  as  a  novelty,  though 
as  old  as  Christianity,  and  which,  though  rejected 
by  some,   is   still   the   prevailing  sentiment  of  the 
Christian  world,    the   author  was   attacked  in   the 
public  press,  charged  with  bigotry,  intolerance,  and 
pride,  and  reviled  with   the  utmost  bitterness   and 
scorn.     He  repelled  these  attacks  in  a  better  spirit, 
and  was  also  vindicated  by  others,   with    no  less 
dignity  and  calmness,  than  ability  and  force.     The 
whole  question  was  set  in  its  true  light  by  a  layman 
of  distinguished   talents,   who   had    examined    the 
matter  with  the  greatest  care.     "  Let  it  be  recol- 
Jected,"  he  remarks,  "  that  the  Companion  for  the 
Altar,   and   the  Companion   for   the   Festivals  and 
Fasts,  (for  these  censures  are  equally   applied  to 
both,)  are  intended  solely  for  the  members  of  the 
Episcopal  Church.     They  are  not  addressed  to  the 
public  at  large;    and   but  for  the  severe  remarks 
which  have  been  made  upon  them,  it  is  probable 
they  would  have  found  their  way  into  the  hands  of 
very  few  persons  of  other  denominations.    Besides, 
they   are   works  which   are  very  common    in  our 
Church,  being  designed  as  an  illustration  of  her  in- 
stitutions and  services.    Into  these  treatises,  indeed, 
is  incorporated  a  summary  view  of  the  priesthood 
of  the  Christian  Church,   stating   its   powers   and 
tracing  them   to  the   source  from   which  they  are 


92  MEMOin  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

derived.     In   illustrating  the  Festivals  and  Fasts, 
what  could  be  more  proper  than  to  show  the  foun- 
dation of  the  authority  that  instituted  them?     In  a 
work  designed  as  preparatory  to  the  most  solemn 
ordinance  of  our  religion,   what  more  correct  or 
more  natural  than  to  show  the  divine  right  of  the 
priesthood,  at  whose  hands  it  is  received   by  the 
communicant"!     And  if  it  be  particularly  objected, 
that  the  question  of  ecclesiastical  authority  is  thrown 
into  a  meditation,  let  it  be  remembered,  that  in  the 
shape  of  a  note  or  appendix  it  would  probably  have 
received  but  little  attention ;    and  that  it  is  a  sub- 
ject of  great  moment,  involving  nothing  less  than 
the  due  performance  of  the  highest  acts  of  worship 
known  to  the  Christian  dispensation.     Bread  and 
wine  have  no  intrinsic  efficacy  to  convey  the  graces 
of  the  Spirit.     We  see  in  them  the  appointment  of 
God,  and  it  is  from  this  they  derive  all  their  value. 
In  the  holy  supper  it  is  necessary  to  adhere  to  the 
system  which  God  has  established.     Man  has  as 
much  right  to  change  the  sacrament  as  to  change 
the  priesthood  by  whom  it  is  to  be  administered. 
Both  are  of  divine  appointment,  and  any  reasoning 
which  should  prove  human  authority  to  be  com- 
petent to  the  alteration  of  the  one,  will  prove  it  to 
be    no   less   competent   to    the    alteration    of   the 
other.     These  opinions  are  most  sincerely  enter- 
tained by  our  Church,  and  to  refuse  her  the  right 
of  maintaining  them,  is  to  refuse  her  the  common 
privileges  of  religious  toleration.     Can  this  in  jus- 
tice be  made  a  ground  of  complaint  while  we  are 
permitted  to  exist?     The  right  cannot  be  called  in 
question;   and  the  decent  exercise  of  an  admitted 


lUCHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  IIOBART.  9.'^ 

right,   ought   not    to    draw    upon    us    a   vindictive 
attack. 

^^  The  discussions  contained  in  the  works  under 
examination  are  conducted  in  an  unexceptionable 
style.  There  is  nothing  of  abuse,  of  sneer,  or  of 
invective.  It  is  not  the  manner,  but  the  matter  of 
these  treatises,  that  has  given  offence.  And  has 
the  time  arrived,  when  we  are  to  be  violently 
assailed  for  claiming  and  exercising  the  right  of 
judgment  on  a  subject  the  most  interesting  that 
can  possibly  engage  the  attention  of  the  human 
mind?  I  trust  not.  We  believe  that  Episcopacy 
is  an  apostolic  institution — that  it  is  the  appointed 
mode  of  conveying  the  sacerdotal  power — that  this 
mode,  being  established  only  by  God,  can  be 
changed  only  by  God — and  that  all  authority  ceases 
the  moment  a  departure  takes  place  from  the 
system  ordained  for  its  transmission.  We  consider 
Bishops  as  the  successors  of  the  Apostles,  and  as 
possessing  alone  that  power  of  ordination  by  which 
the  ecclesiastical  office  is  continued  and  preserved. 
These  doctrines  we  maintain,  and  no  reasonable 
man  can  consider  such  conduct  as  giving  just  cause 
of  offence.  How  do  Presbyterians  themselves  act 
in  this  matter  !  Are  they  not  in  the  continual  prac- 
tice of  illustrating  and  enforcing  their  distinguishing 
tenets  \  But  you  unchurch  us.  How  do  they  act  in 
regard  to  others'!  They  believe  the  priesthood,  and 
the  ordinances  of  baptism  and  the  holy  supper,  to 
be  essential  parts  of  the  Christian  dispensation — 
they  consider  baptism  as  the  only  mode  of  initiation 
into  tiie  Church  of  Christ,  and  as  generally  neces- 
;sary  to  salvation.     But  do  you  presume  to  unchurcii 


94  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

US?  say  the  Quakers.  Will  the  Presbyterian,  then, 
give  up  the  right  of  thinking  for  himself  on  the 
important  subjects  of  the  priesthood  and  the  ordin- 
ances of  the  Gospel,  or  of  decently  supporting  the 
opinions  which  he  conscientiously  entertains  l  Can 
he  do  so  without  debasing  that  rational  faculty 
which  God  has  given  him,  and  neglecting  the  im- 
portant duty  of  instructing  his  people  in  what  he 
deems  to  be  a  most  interesting  branch  of  religious 
truth  1 

"Let  us  follow  the  Presbyterians  one  step  further, 
and  see  how  they  treat  that  Church,  of  whose  want 
of  charity  in  persisting  to  think  for  herself  they  so 
loudly  complain. 

"  Take,  for  an  example,  the  language  of  this  very 
writer  :* — 

"  *  The  Classical  or  Presbyterial  form  of  Church 
Government  is  the  true  and  only  one  which  Christ 
has  prescribed  in  his  word.  The  custom  of  having 
diocesan  Bishops  is  corrupt  and  injurious.'  The 
very  men  who  thus  reproach  the  Episcopal  Church 
for  denying  the  validity  of  Presbyterial  ordination, 
hesitate  not  in  representing  her  system  of  govern- 
ment as  corrupt,  as  unscriptural,  as  anti-christian  ! 
This  is  one  of  the  rarest  specimens  of  contradiction 
that  the  annals  of  human  inconsistency  have  ever 
exhibited."t 

To  this  temperate  and  able  defence  of  Mr.  Ho- 
bart,  it  may  also  be  added,  that  the  opinions  which 
he  advanced  in  regard  to  the  necessity  of  a  lawful 

*  The  Rev.  Dr.  Lynn,  who  was  one  of  the  assailants  of  Mr» 
Hobart. 

t  Essays  on  Episcopacy,  pages  31,32,  33,  84.  '     ' 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOB  ART.  95 

commission  for  the  due  administration  of  the  sacra- 
ments, is  in  exact  correspondence  with  that  which 
is  set  forth  in  the  Confession  of  Faith.*  "  There  be 
only  two  sacraments  ordained  by  Christ  our  Lord 
in  the  Gospel,  that  is  to  say.  Baptism  and  the  Sup- 
per of  our  Lord ;  neither  of  which  may  be  dispensed 
by  any  but  by  a  minister  of  the  word  lawfully  or- 
dained." The  principle  is  the  same  in  both  cases; 
the  only  difference  is  as  to  the  source  from  which 
ministerial  authority  flows  ;  Episcopalians  consider- 
ing it  as  derived  by  an  external  commission  from 
the  order  of  Bishops,  and  Presbyterians  believing 
that  it  is  conveyed  by  a  similar  commission  through 
the  order  of  Presbyters. 

The  Companion  for  the  Altar,  which  was  made 
the  subject  of  such  severe  and  unmerited  censure, 
has,  however,  accomplished,  in  an  eminent  degree, 
the  excellent  purpose  for  which  it  was  designed.  It 
has,  in  a  great  measure,  superseded  every  other 
work  of  the  kind  in  this  section  of  the  Church,  and 
there  is  good  reason  to  believe  that  it  will  long  con- 
tinue to  sustain  the  popularity  which  it  has  already 
acquired.  Thousands  and  thousands  have  found  it 
a  help  to  their  meditations,  and  a  guide  to  their 
devotions;  and  have  risen  from  a  perusal  of  it  with 
a  kindling  of  soul,  and  an  elevation  of  sentiment, 
which  have  prepared  them  to  receive  the  supper  of 
the  Lord  with  the  greatest  advantage,  comfort,  and 
delight.  It  has  associated  the  author,  who  was  so 
beloved  and  respected  by  them  on  other  accounts, 
with   their  holiest  feelings;   and  many,  no  doubt, 

*  Presbyterian  Confession  of  Faith,  p.  131. 


96  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

who  are  now  united  with  him  among  "  the  spirits  of 
just  men  made  perfect,"  look  back  upon  this  humble 
work  as  one  of  the  means  by  which  they  were 
brought  into  a  closer  communion  with  their  God 
and  Saviour. 

It  is  not,  however,   intended  to  raise  this  unpre- 
tending performance  beyond  the  rank  to  which  it  is 
entitled.     As  a  correct  explanation  of  the  holy  sa- 
crament, as  a  devout  effusion  of  the  heart,  and  as 
an  aid  to  meditation  and  prayer,  it  is  certainly  de- 
serving of  high  commendation ;  but  if  it  be  regarded 
merely  in  a  literary  view,  and  examined  with  the 
severity  which  is  commonly  applied  to  other  works, 
it  might  undoubtedly  be  shown,  that  it  abounds  in 
violations  of  correctness  and  taste.     It  was  written 
in  great  haste,*  amidst  the  pressure  of  parochial 
engagements,  and  with  all  the  exuberance  of  youth- 
ful feeling.     The  style  is,  therefore,  too  loose  and 
diffusive — the  thoughts  are  drawn  out  to  an  undue 
length — and  the  passionate  expressions  of  devotion 
lose   much   of  their  force   and   effect  by  frequent 
repetition.     There  is  not  only  a  want  of  condensa- 
tion in  the   matter,   but  also   of  simplicity  in  the 
language  ;  so  that,  while  it  is  not  as  fit  as  it  might 
be  for  the  illiterate,  it  is  also  apt  to  offend  the  taste 
of  the  fastidious  and  refined.     Yet  the  great  mass 
of  readers  who  take  it  up  for  the  sole  purpose  of 
improving    the   heart,    and   not  of  exercising   the 
critical  acumen  of  the  mind,  and  whose  feelings  are 
in  unison  with  the  spirit  in  which  it  was  penned, 
will  always  regard  it  as  a  precious  book ;  and  as 

*  In  about  four  weekso    •■'   s    >. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOflN  HENRY  HOBART.  97 

often  as   they  go  to  the  altar,   will   make   it   their 
guide,  companion,  and  familiar  friend. 

There  need  not  be  a  stronger  proof  of  its  excel- 
lence than  the  encomiums  which  it  received  from 
the  pious  and  learned  editor  of  the  Christian  Ob- 
server, in  a  letter  which  he  wrote  to  Bishop  Hobart 
more  than  twenty  years  after  its  first  publication. 

"  St.  John's,  Woodroad,  Aug.  20, 1825. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  I  feel  greatly  obliged  and  gratified  by  your  very 
kind  letter,  and  am  most  anxious  for  my  handsome 
present  from  Mr.  Hatchard's,  which  I  am  sure  I 
shall  value  highly.*  The  work  certainly  needed 
some  addition  to  its  devotional  qualities  ;  and  in 
this  respect,  the  frequent  perusal  of  your  Companion 
to  the  blessed  Eucharist  convinces  me  it  will  have 
gained  much  of  unction  from  the  required  revision. 
Schools  of  divinity  will  and  must  differ;  and  it  is 
in  vain  to  deny,  that  even  devotion  will  take  a 
strong  tinge  from  doctrine  ;  so  that  I  am  satisfied 
the  purest  liturgical  compositions  of  the  evangelical 
and  orthodox,  so  called,  (would  they  were  not  so 
called  !)  will  not  thoroughly  please  the  other,  but 
each  may  gain  from  eacii;  and  it  will  be  well,  if  all 
may  learn  from  7/our  devotional  compositions,  that 
deep  humility,  that  profound  reverence  towards 
God,  that  deep  repentance,  that  implicit  faith  in 
the  sacrifice  of  the  Saviour  for  pardon  and  justifica- 
tion, and  those  earnest  resolutions  and  endeavours 

*  Some  devotional  work,  it  is  presumed,  which  the  Bishop  in- 
tended to  revise  and  improve. 

13 


93  JIEiMOIR  OF  THE  LIFK  OF  THK 

after  a  devout  and  lioly  life,  which  they  breathe  in 
every  page.  On  some  other  points  connected  chiefly 
nith  the  discipline  of  Christ's  Church  and  the  holy 
sacraments,  tlierc  will  be  differences  of  opinion, 
(even  among  sincere,  though  you  will  say,  ill  in- 
formed Churchmen,)  which  ought  not  to  separate 
good  men  on  any  side  *  *  *. 

"  Your  very  faithful  and  obliged 
,,  **  Friend  and  servant, 

"  S.  C.  WILKES." 

About  this  period,  also,  Mr.  Hobart  republished 
the  work  of  the  pious  Nelson  on  the  Festivals  and 
Fasts  of  the  Church,  which,  from  its  great  popu- 
larity in  England,  had  already  run  through  twenty- 
eight  editions.     The  additions  which  he  made  to  it 
on  the  important  points  of  the  evidences  of  Chris- 
tianity and  the  constitution  of  the  Church,  were  so 
material  as  to  impress  on  it  a  new  character,  and  to 
give  it  the  air  of  originality  which  it  has  since  as- 
sumed.   I  cannot  forbear,  in  this  place,  from  making 
some  remarks  on  a  peculiarity  in  the  conduct  of 
this  faithful  and  devoted  servant  of  the  Lord,  which 
showed  itself  upon  his  very  entrance  into  the  mi- 
nistry, and  which  continued  to  be  more  and  more 
strongly  marked  till  it  was  finally  closed.     Utility 
seemed  to  be  the  sole  end  of  his  labours- — mere 
literary  fame  was  regarded  as  nothing.   With  a  mind 
of  a  highly  original  cast — with  a  thorough  education, 
which  might  have  enabled  him  to  accomplish  even 
great  undertakings — with  a  soaring  ambition  which 
raised   him,    in   many   respects,   to   an   undisputed 
pre-eminence   above   his    brethren — he   still   never 


RIGHT  RKV.  JOHN  HENllY   HODAIIT.  99 

found  any  work  too  humble  for  him,  in  which  there 
was  a  prospect  of  doing  good.  Whatever  was  in 
any  way  connected  with  the  spiritual  edification  of 
others,  however  little  it  might  contribute  to  his 
personal  reputation,  seemed  to  be  of  sufficient  im- 
portance, in  his  eyes,  to  make  it  worthy  of  his  la- 
bour and  care.  With  this  view  the  Companion  for 
the  Altar  and  the  Companion  to  the  Book  of  Com- 
mon Prayer  were  written.  With  the  same  view  the 
Companion  for  the  Festivals  and  Fasts,  the  Clergy- 
man's Companion,  the  Christian's  Manual,  and  the 
Commentary  of  Mant  and  D'Oyly,  were  republished. 
He  even  took  pains  to  adapt  the  simple  Catechism 
■of  the  Church  to  the  tender  minds  of  those  wlio 
were  too  young  to  give  the  answers  which  are  therein 
required,  and  enlarged  it  for  those  who  were  more 
advanced,  with  a  comprehensiveness  and  skill  which 
made  it  almost  as  profitable  an  exercise  to  tho 
teacher  as  the  learner.  If  the  time  wliich  was  spent 
in  makiofy  material  alterations  in  some  of  these 
works,  and  laborious  additions  to  others,  had  been 
employed  in  systematic  study,  and  in  the  execution 
of  anyone  of  the  original  plans  which  were  floating 
in  his  mind,  he  would  not  only  have  had  the  repu- 
tation of  an  eloquent  preacher,  an  acute  polemic, 
and  a  sound  theologian,  but  also  of  a  finished  scholar 
and  profoundly  learned  divine. 

About  this  time  Mr.  Hobart  received  an  invitation 
to  the  rectorship  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Philadelphia, 
where,  many  years  before,  the  congregation  were 
desirous  that  he  should  accept  the  appointment  of 
an  Assistant  Minister.  The  proposition,  however, 
for  the  reasons  which  he  states  in  the  accompanying 
letter,  was  respectfully  declined  : — ■ 


100  MEMGIli  OF  THF.  LIFE  OF  THK 

"  New-York,  Feb.  10,  1804. 
"  Levi  HollingsiDorth,  Esq. 

"  SIR, 

**  I  received  your  letter  of  the  1st  instant,  and 
have  since  given  it  that  consideration  which  its  im- 
portance demands. 

"  My  situation  in  New-York  is  an  eligible  one. 
It  affords  every  opportunity  for  the  exercise  of  what- 
ever means  of  usefulness  I  may  possess;  and  the 
property  of  the  Church  is  amply  sufficient  for  the 
independent  support  of  the  clergy.  Various  con- 
siderations of  expediency  and  duty,  therefore,  op- 
pose, at  present,  what  would  otherwise  be  very 
gratifying  to  me — a  residence  in  the  place  of  my 
nativity,  and  among  my  nearest  friends. 

"  I  sincerely  regret  the  visitation  of  Providence, 
which  has  deprived  the  congregation  of  St.  Paul's 
of  the  services  of  its  late  worthy  Rector;  and  I  beg 
you  to  believe,  that  I  properly  appreciate  the  mark 
of  confidence  which  yourself  and  others  of  the 
vestry  are  disposed  to  bestow  on  me. 
"With  sincere  respect, 
"  1  am,  Sir, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

The  following  note  is  a  proof  of  that  practical 
good  sense  and  accurate  knowledge  of  the  work- 
ings of  the  human  mind,  for  which  the  writer  was 
always  distinguished.  It  is  in  relation  to  a  lady, 
who,  on  a  visit  to  Italy,  was  so  much  affected  by 
the  kind  and  soothing  attentions  which  her  husband 
received  during   his   last   illness,  and   which  were 


RKIHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  101 

continued  to  herself  after  his  death,  that  she  was 
led  to  entertain  a  most  favourable  impression  of 
the  religious  sentiments  of  the  persons  by  whom 
they  were  rendered.  She  was  of  an  ardent  and 
enthusiastic  temper,  and  the  disposition  to  a  change 
of  her  faith  was  attributed  rather  to  the  influence 
of  her  imagination  and  feelings,  than  to  a  sober 
conviction  of  her  mind  upon  a  cool  and  deliberate 
investigation  of  the  subject. 

"  New-  York,  July  6,  1804. 
**Mrs.H . 

"MADAM,  ■;: 

"  From  the  interest  which,  in  your  conversation 
with  me,  you  appeared  to  take  on  the  subject  of 

Mrs.  S 's  supposed  change  of  religion,  I  think 

it  will  give  you  pleasure  to  hear,  that  whatever  may 
be  her  sentiments  in  regard  to  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church,  she  has  never  wished  those  sentiments  to 
be  known,  nor  has  she  ever  made  any  public  avowal 
on  the  subject.     I  also  know,  that,  since  her  return 

to  America,  she  has  never  seen  Mr.  O'B ,  nor 

any  other  Catholic  clergyman  ;  nor  has  she,  directly 
or  indirectly,  taken  any  step  that  would  finally  con- 
nect her  with  the  Roman  Catholic  Church.  I  am 
fully  satisfied  that  she  will  make  no  decisive  deter- 
mination in  this  business  without  that  sincere  and 
thorough  examination  which  she  is  strongly  im- 
pressed it  is  her  duty  to  make.  I  am  persuaded 
you  will  join  with  me  in  thinking,  that,  should  the 
reports  on  this  subject  extend  beyond  the  circle  of 
her  intimate  friends,  the  effect  upon  her  feelings 
may  possibly  be  unfavourable;  and  my  own  opinion 


102  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

is,  that  the  less  at  present  that  she  hears,  directly 
or  indirectly,  from  any  person  on  the  subject,  the 
greater  the  probability  is,  that  she  will  not  be  hurried 
into  a  premature  and  erroneous  decision.  Your 
having  introduced  this  subject  to  me  in  conversation, 
with  strong  marks  of  interest  and  concern,  has  led 
me  to  believe  that  the  communication  of  these 
facts  will  give  you  pleasure." 

Mr.  Hobart  took  unwearied  pains  to  prevent  this 
measure,  and  drew  up,  as  it  appears,  a  summary  of 
the  arguments  which  should  fortify  her  in  her 
own  faith,  and  guard  her  against  the  errors  of  the 
Church  of  Rome.  This  was  intended  only  for  her 
private  examination,  without  any  view  of  provokino- 
a  public  controversy.  The  former  was  his  duty,  as 
a  faithful  shepherd  of  the  flock  of  Christ ;  the  latter 
was  not  called  for  by  the  occasion.  An  attempt, 
however,  was  made  to  draw  him  into  a  controversy, 
which  was  thus  declined  : —  •    -  ..  ; 

"  Mr  H states  to  Mr.  F the  following 

decisive  objections  to  the  manuscript  given  by  him 

to  Mrs.  S being  sent  to  Bishop  C .     Mr. 

H has  no  wish  to  commence  any  controversy 

with  Bishop  C ,  with  whom,  in  this  business,  he 

has  certainly  nothing  to  do.  The  sending  of  the 
manuscript  would  most  probably  lead  to  a  contro- 
versy, to  which  Mrs.  S' also  is  in  the  highest 

degree  averse.  She  rests  her  present  determina- 
tion on  the  simple  fact,  that  the  Church  of  England 
and  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  America 
possess  the  orders  of  the  ministry  instituted  by 
Christ  and  his  apostles,  viz.  Bishops,  Priests,  and 
Deacons,  deriving  their  authority  by  regular  sue- 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  103 

cession  from  Christ  and  his  apostles.  The  Bishops 
of  the  Church  of  England,  at  the  reformation,  were, 
in  fact.  Bishops  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  and  con- 
veyed their  authority  to  others  down  to  the  present 
time.  The  lists  of  these  Bishops,  with  the  times, 
the  places,  and  the  Bishops  by  whom  they  were 
consecrated,  have  been  recorded.  They  have  been 
printed  from  these  authentic  records,  and  are  in  my 

possession.     If  Bishop   C ,   at   your    instance, 

chooses  to  contest  the  validity  of  the  ordinations  of 
the  clergy  of  the  Church  of  England,  the  way  is 
open  for  him  to  do  so  ;  but  Mr.  H would  con- 
ceive it  indelicate  and  improper  for  him  to  take  any 
step  that  would  have  the  appearance   of  inviting 

Bishop  C to  any  controversy  on  the  subject. 

Mrs.  S has  heard  the  Church  of  Rome  ably, 

fully,  and  ingeniously  advocated.  It  is,  indeed,  in 
the  highest  degree  improbable  that  the  friends  of 
that  Church  at  Leghorn  would  permit  her  to  come 
to  this  country  without  the  most  full  and  the  best 
defence  of  that  Church  which  could  be  given.  She 
has  heard  it  advocated  under  circumstances  calcu- 
lated most  powerfully  to  interest  her  feelings  at  the 
expense  of  her  judgment.     She  has  now  made  up 

her  mind,  and  Mr.  H believes,  that  in  doing 

homage  to  what  she  believes  the  truth,  she  acts  in 
opposition  to  feelings  of  gratitude  and  affection, 
which   in  no  mind    can  operate    more   powerfully 

than  in  her's.     Mr.  H cannot,  in  conscience, 

consent  to  be  in  any  way  accessary  to  any  measure 
that  would,  in  his  opinion,  throw  her  into  a  state  o 
perplexity  and  agitation,  from  which,  certainly, 
after  what  she  has  suffered,  she  has  every  claim  to 


104  ;    BiEMOIR  OP  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

be  at  rest.  Mr.  H trusts  to  Mr.  F 's  polite- 
ness to  excuse  this  note,  dictated  by  the  simple  de- 
sire to  state  the  objections  to  the  measure  which 

Mr.  F solicited."* 

My  personal  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Hobart  com- 
menced in  the  winter  of  1805,  when  I  was  in  my 
eighteenth  year;  and  as  the  circumstances  which 
led  to  it  were  somewhat  peculiar,  I  trust  that  a 
slio-ht  notice  of  them  may  not  be  altogether  unin- 
teresting  to  others.  My  own  mind  always  reverts  to 
this  period  with  delight ;  not  only  from  the  kindness 
and  reorard  with  which  I  was  favoured  in  the  very 
beginning  of  our  intimacy,  but  from  the  important 
influence  of  Mr.  Hobart's  friendship  on  the  whole 
course  of  my  life.  I  was  at  that  time  most  anxiously 
engaged  in  examining  the  great  truths  of  religion ; 
endeavouring  to  settle  and  fortify  myself  in  the  prin- 
ciples which,  from  childhood,  I  had  been  taught  to 
venerate,  and  to  carry  them  out  in  practice.  In  this 
state  of  my  mind,  every  thing  on  these  important 
subjects  that  I  could  procure  from  public  libraries, 
or  private  friends,  was  read  with  eagerness;  but 
having  no  judicious  guide  to  direct  me,  I  found  that 
much  of  my  time  was  lost  in  this  desultory  course, 
and  that  very  often,  instead  of  being  enlightened,  I 
was  embarrassed  and  perplexed-  The  high  repu- 
tation of  Mr.  Hobart,  even  at  that  early  period,  had 
rendered  him  an  object  of  general  admiration  ;  but 
his  fervent  and  impassioned  eloquence,  his  tender 
and  touching  appeals,  made  a  powerful  impression 

*  The  efforts  of  Mr.  Hobart,  however,  were  finally  unavailing ; 
her  feelings  overpowered  her  resolutions  and  judgment,  and  she 
afterwards  left  our  Communion  for  the  Church  of  Rome. 


RIGHT  r.EV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOnAUT.  105 

on  the  hearts  of  the  young.  The  deep  interest, 
therefore,  which  he  showed  for  the  spiritual  wants 
of  his  flock  in  general,  persuaded  me  that  he  would 
not  be  indifferent  to  mine;  and  this  persuasion  was 
strengthened  by  the  favourable  accounts  which  I 
had  heard  of  his  personal  character,  and  the  warmth 
and  kindness  of  his  heart.  I  had  been  drawn  into 
the  Church  by  a  train  of  circumstances  which  it 
would  be  foreign  from  my  present  purpose  to  ex- 
plain. I  was,  as  it  were,  a  solitary  and  unknown 
worshipper  in  that  parish  in  which  it  has  now  been 
so  long  my  happiness  to  stand  in  a  most  interest- 
ing and  endearing  relation  to  thousands.  In  this 
state  of  perplexity  then,  on  questions  of  the  deepest 
import  to  my  peace,  I  wrote  a  letter  to  him,  stating 
my  difiiculties  in  regard  to  a  proper  course  of  theo- 
logical reading,  and  begging  the  favour  of  his  direc- 
tion and  advice.  It  was  answered  immediately  with 
his  characteristic  promptitude,  and  is  now  intro- 
duced, both  as  a  memorial  of  his  kindness  and  a 
most  valuable  guide  to  the  inquiries  of  others. 

"  New-  York,  Feb.  14,  1 805. 

"SIR,         '        v     '^:. 

•»  "  I  certainly  cannot  be  indifferent  to  the  request 
of  a  young  man,  who,  in  this  degenerate  day,  when 
most  young  men  are  occupied  with  corruptino- 
pleasures,  and  satisfied  with  superficial  acquire- 
ments, devotes  his  time  to  solid  reading,  and  ap- 
pears sensible  of  the  value  of  that  knowledge  which 
is  able  to  make  him  wise  unto  eternal  life.  I  con- 
clude your  wish  is  to.  read  some  books  on  theology, 
both   as   a  scholar  "and   a  Christian,  to  study  the 

14 


106  .    KIEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFS  OF  Tllli 

elements  of  theology  as  a  science,  and  to  apply  that 
science  to  its  proper  and  only  valuable  end — the 
improvement  and  regulation  of  the  heart  and  life. 
Under  this  impression,  I  shnll  mingle,  in  the  fol- 
lowing list,  some  books  of  a  practical  nature  with 
others  that  respect  more  properly  the  theory  of  reli- 
gion. 

"'  The  Scholar  Armed,'  a  work  which  contains 
several  valuable  tracts  on  the  evidences  of  Chris- 
tianity, on  the  constitution  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  on  some  of  the  most  important  of  its  doctrines, 
and  which,  if  carefully  studied,  will  store  the  mind 
with  the  most  sound  and  valuable  information  on 
the  most  important  topics  of  divinity;  Paley's  Evi- 
dences; Butler's  Analogy,  Campbell  on  Miracles; 
Leland's  View  of  Deistical  Writers;  Porteus'  (Bi- 
shop of  London)  Summary  of  the  Evidences  of  the 
Christian  Revelation;  Bishop  Newton  on  the  Pro- 
phecies; Gray's  Key  to  the  Old  Testament;  Percy's 
Key  to  the  Now  Testament;  Collyer's  Sacred  In- 
terpreter; Prideaux's  Connexions;  Bishop  Lowth 
on  Hebrew  Poetry — a  learned  and  elegant  work; 
Jones  on  the  Figurative  Language  of  Scripture — 
all  the  works  of  this  writer,  (the  Rev.  William 
Jones,  of  Nnyland,)  published  in  twelve  volumes, 
are  eminently  good ;  Stackhouse's  Body  of  Divi- 
nity ;  Stackhouse's  History  of  the  Bible  ;  Daubeny's 
Guide  to  the  Church,  and  A})pendix;  Wilberforce 
on  Christianity ;  Archbishop  Seeker's  Works;  Bar- 
row's Sermons — an  old,  but  a  most  glowing,  elo- 
quent, and  pious  writer;  Bishop  Home's  Sermons* 
Bishop  Home's  Commentary  on  the  Psalms — Bi- 
shop Home  is  an  elegant  and  pious  writer  ;  Porteus' 

M 


UM.'iri'  !:!;v.  j<)n,\  Ji!;.\i:v  lior.AUi".  107 

Lecturers  on  tiie  Gospel  of  St.  Mattlievv;  Porteus' 
Sermons;  Massilion's  Sermons ;  Bishop  Seabui7'3 
Sermons — excellent;  Bishop  Wilson's  Sermons; 
Gisborne's  Sermons — which  are  excellent;  Sher- 
lock on  Death,  Judgment,  Providence,  and  a  Future 
State;  Bishop  Wilson's  Sacra  Privata. 

"  As  I  presume  you  arc  either  of  the  Episcopal 
denomination,  or  are  not  averse  to  bccominar  ac- 
quainted  with  its  peculiar  characteristics,  I  will  add 
one  or  two  works  on  tiiis  subject. 

'•  Reeves,  or  Shepherd,  or  Whoatley,  on  the 
Common  Prayer;  Stanhope  on  the  Epistles  and 
Gospels;  Companion  for  the  Feasts  and  Fasts  of 
the  Church;  the  Orthodox  Churchman's  Maarazine. 
(published  in  England.) 

"The  above  books  (several  of  them  at  least)  will 
be  found  at  Mr.  Peter  A.  Mesier's,  bookseller, 
Pearl-street,  opposite  to  the  Old-Slip,  and  at  Messrs. 
Swords's,  booksellers.  Pearl-street.  Those  of  the 
above  list  which  they  have  not  now,  they  expect  in 
the  spring. 

"  I  should  be  happy  in  an  acquaintance  with  a 
young  man  of  the  character  and  dispositions  of 
which,  from  your  letter,  I  should  suppose  you  to  be. 

-.    "  Your  obedient  servant, 

"  J-  H.  H." 

It  may  easily  be  imagined  with  what  gratitude 
this  ready  and  courteous  answer  to  my  request  was 
received,  and  with  wiiat  eagerness  and  pleasure  I 
availed  myself  of  the  privilege  which  he  freely 
offered. 
-  Shortly  after  the  commencement  of  my  acquaint- 


108  WE3I01H  OF  THE  lAFE  OF  TUli 

ance  with  him,  he  made  some  inquiries  in  regard 
to  the  education  which  I  had  received.  I  informed 
him  that  it  had  been  sufficiently  good  for  the  calling 
in  life  to  which  I  was  destined  ;  and  that,  in  addition 
to  what  was  strictly  required  to  fit  me  for  business, 
I  had  also  enjoyed  the  advantage  of  some  partial 
instruction  at  a  Latin  school.  Tlie  eagerness  with 
which  he  listened  to  the  latter  circumstance,  and 
the  advice  which  he  gave  to  me  in  consequence  of 
it,  seem  like  the  things  of  yesterday.  He  urged 
nie  at  once  to  resume  my  classical  studies,  which 
had  been  laid  aside,  to  improve  the  intervals  of 
leisure  in  my  daily  occupations,  and  to  prepare  my- 
self for  any  unexpected  turn  which,  in  this  changeful 
world,  might  give  a  different  direction  to  my  pur- 
suits and  hopes.  A  new  scene  opened  upon  my 
view — it  was  a  decisive  point  in  my  life — and  the 
whole  course  of  it  was,  as  it  were,  instantaneously 
changed.  That  very  night  I  acted  upon  his  advice. 
I  continued  my  preparation,  under  every  disadvant- 
age, for  that  favourable  turn,  of  which,  at  the  time, 
1  had  no  reasonable  expectation,  but  which,  very 
soon  after,  actually  occurred.  He  encouraged  me 
by  his  kindness,  guided  me  by  his  paternal  counsel, 
employed  his  influence  in  procuring  for  me  an  easy 
admission  into  College,  superintended  my  theolo- 
gical studies,  continued  his  friendly  offices  upon  my 
entrance  into  the  ministry,  till,  at  length,  it  was  my 
privilege  to  be  associated  with  him  at  the  same 
altar,  connected  by  domestic  ties,  and  honoured 
with  a  confidence  and  affection  which  were  never 
more  fully  and  gratefully  returned. 

The  recollections  of  him  at  a  period  of  his  life 


KKJUT  KEY.  JOHN  IlENliY  HOBART.      '  109 

which  was  so  interesting  to  myself,    are  so  fresh 
and  vivid,  that  I  cannot  forbear  from  representing 
him  in  the  soft  and  pleasing  lights  in  which  he  then 
appeared.     In   after  years,  when  the  labours   and 
cares  of  his  liigh  and  responsible  office  were  con- 
stantly increasing,  and  vexations  of  various  kinds 
rose  up  to  disturb  his  peace  and  thwart  his  useful- 
ness, and  each  wearisome  day  was  closed,  as  I  have 
often  heard  him  remark,  with  some  anxious  thought 
for  the  morrow;  there  were  very  frequently  observed 
in   him   an  abstraction  of  mind,  an  abruptness   of 
manner,   a  hastiness  of  expression,   and   a  sudden 
transition  from  one  subject  to  another,  which  broke 
in   upon  his  own  social  enjoyments,  and  lessened 
the  degree  of  that  pleasure  which  he  was  wont  to 
impart  in    his    intercourse  with   his  friends.     But 
then  the  frankness  which  never  forsook  him,  not- 
withstanding it  was   so   often    most   ungenerously 
abused,    was   shown  without    restraint — his  warm 
heart  poured  out  its  feelings  in  all  their  fulness — 
his  buoyant  spirits  M^ere  never  depressed.     In  his 
family  he  was   affectionate  to  a  degree  of  almost 
feminine  tenderness,  playful  as  his  children,   and 
fond  even  of  the  domestic  animals  with  which  he 
was  always    surrounded.     His    guests  felt   no  re- 
straint in  his  company,  nor  was  he  at  all  restrained 
by  theirs,  but  just  suffered  his  character  to  appear 
in    its    natural    light,    and    gave    utterance    to    his 
ihougiits  and  feelings  as  they  rose  up  in  his  mind, 
according   to   the  varying    mood   of  the    moment. 
Notwithstanding    he    was    never    idle,    he    always 
seemed   to  have  time   for  his   friends,   welcoming 
them  with  unfeigned  cordiality,  and  letting  them  go 


no 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 


with  reluctance  and  regret.  For  many  years  I  was 
in  the  habit  of  spending  a  portion  of  almost  every 
Sunday  evening  at  his  house,  where  the  conversa- 
tion generally  took  a  serious  and  appropriate  turn, 
or  was  always  so  rational  and  innocent  as  to  make 
me  insensible  how  rapidly  the  liours  flew  on. 
Though  often  detained  too  long  by  the  pleasure 
and  advantage  of  this  discourse,  he  never  betrayed 
the  slightest  symptoms  of  weariness  and  impatience  ; 
and  I  have  often  since,  when  exhausted  by  tiie  la- 
bours and  excitement  of  the  day,  recalled  his  kind 
indulgence  with  mortification  and  surprise.  But  his 
warm  and  benevolent  feelings  were  never  so  en- 
gagingly shown  to  the  young,  as  when  in  a  friendly 
ramble  or  a  ride  to  his  favourite  and  beautiful 
retreat  in  New-Jersey;  he  entered  with  a  paternal 
interest  into  all  their  views  and  plans,  encouraoinnc 
them  by  his  praise,  and  edifying  them  by  his  counsel, 
or  else  with  a  flattering  confidence  laid  open  to  them 
his  own.  All  the  barriers  between  age  and  youth, 
between  wisdom  and  ignorance,  were  broken  down  ; 
and  where  he  saw,  in  the  young,  ingenuousness, 
piety,  and  worth,  even  though  mingled  up  with  im- 
perfections and  follies,  he  seemed  to  anticipate  the 
fruits  of  promise,  and  to  commune  with  them  at 
once  as  companions  and  friends.  The  heart  melts 
at  these  recollections,  and  is  poured  out  like  water. 
The  subject  of  theological  education  had,  from  an 
early  period  of  his  ministry,  much  engrossed  his 
thoughts.  The  usual  preparation  for  tlie  sacred 
office,  under  the  private  direction  and  care  of  a 
clergyman  whose  qualifications  might  not  always 
fit  him  for  the   task,   and  whose  ordinary  duties, 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOB  ART.  Ill 

even  under  different  circumstances,  were  usually  so 
engrossing  as  to  leave  but  little  time  for  it,  was  evi- 
dently a  very  imperfect  manner  of  training  up  young 
men  for  this  most  weighty  and  important  charge. 
The  growth  of  our  communion,  from  the  rapid  in- 
crease of  our  population — the  opportunities  of  ex- 
tending it,  which  were  lost  from  the  want  of 
clergymen  to  secure  our  advantages — the  limited 
education  and  scanty  acquirements  of  many  who 
were  already  in  orders — and  the  attention  which  was 
given  to  theological  education  by  several  denomi- 
nations of  Christians  around  us — impressed  him 
strongly  with  the  great  and  urgent  necessity  of  es- 
tablishing a  seminary  on  such  a  large  and  liberal 
scale  as  would  be  suited  to  the  wants,  the  interests, 
and  dignity  of  the  Church.  The  first  evidence  of 
his  solicitude  on  this  point,  was  shown  in  the  forma- 
tion of  a  society,  in  1806,  which  was  to  be  an  humble 
handmaid  to  that  better  system  which,  even  then, 
had  probably  been  floating  through  his  mind,  and 
which,  shortly  after,  he  attempted  to  bring  into 
form  and  existence.  The  objects  of  this  association, 
which  was  styled  "  The  Protestant  Episcopal  Theo- 
logical Society,"  were  the  advancement  of  its  mem- 
bers in  theological  knowledge,  in  practical  piety, 
and  in  all  those  principles,  duties,  and  dispositions, 
which  would  fit  them  for  being  orthodox,  evangelical, 
and  faithful  ministers  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church.  The  business  of  every  meeting,  which 
was  held  weekly,  was  opened  by  the  presiding 
clergyman  with  an  office  of  devotion  prepared  for 
the  purpose.  A  sermon,  or  portion  of  a  sermon, 
from  some  approved  author,  was  then  read  by  one 


112  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

of  the  members,  with  a  view  to  improvement  in  em- 
phasis, accent,  and  general  propriety.  Afterwards 
a  portion  was  read  by  another,  of  some  treatise  on 
the  evidences  of  Christianity,  the  constitution  of  the 
Christian  Church,  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  or 
of  any  work  which  from  time  to  time  might  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  presiding  clergyman,  with  the  appro- 
bation of  the  Bishop.  In  regard  to  this  passage,  it 
was  exj)ected  that  every  member  should  be  ready 
to  answer  any  questions  that  might  be  proposed  to 
him.  The  third  exercise  was  the  reading,  by  a 
different  member,  of  an  essay  on  some  religious 
topic,  or  a  sermon  of  his  own  composition  ;  and 
this  was  to  be  delivered  memoriter  at  the  ensuing 
meeting,  or  an  extract  from  some  other  sermon  or 
essay  that  might  be  appointed.  It  was  the  duty  of 
the  clergyman  who  presided,  after  the  performance 
of  this  exercise,  to  call  upon  the  members  present 
for  their  remarks  on  the  pronunciation,  emphasis, 
style,  and  delivery,  and  to  sum  up  the  whole  with 
his  own.  '  ... 

Questions  on  theological  topics  were  then  to  be 
proposed  by  the  members,  and  the  president  was 
to  choose  one  of  these,  or  such  other  as  he  might 
think  proper,  and  appoint  four  to  discuss  it  at  the 
following  meeting.  This  discussion  was  to  take 
place  in  the  absence  of  the  clergyman,  but  no  deci- 
sion to  be  made  on  the  question;  and  at  a  subse- 
quent meeting,  the  next  one  who  should  preside 
was  also  to  deliver  his  sentiments  concerning  it, 
for  the  information  of  the  members.  This  part 
of  the  business  of  the  meeting  was  closed  with 
prayer.  i  '  '■[ 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  113 

'  There  was  also  one  other  general  provision,  too 
important  and  interesting  to  be  passed  over  without 
notice. 

■  It  was  made  the  duty  of  the  clergymen  who  pre- 
sided successively  at  the  meetings  of  the  society, 
from  time  to  time  "  to  impress  on  the  members  the 
usefulness,  the  dignity,  and  the  high  consolations 
and  rewards  of  tiie  Christian  ministry;  to  enforce 
the  necessity  and  duty  of  acting  at  all  times  with 
that  circumspection  and  propriety  which  were  de- 
manded equally  by  their  Christian  obligations,  and 
by  the  sacred  profession  which  it  was  their  intention 
to  assume ;  to  urge  them  to  acquire  and  to  cherish 
a  practical  view  of  the  exalted  plan  of  salvation 
through  Jesus  Christ,  its  conditions,  its  aids,  and 
rewards,  in  order  that  they  might  be  fitted  in  after 
life  for  proclaiming  and  enforcing  them  with  suit- 
able fidelity  and  zeal;  to  explain  to  them  the  ex- 
cellence of  that  Apostolic  and  Primitive  Church  to 
which  they  had  the  happiness  to  belong;  and  above 
all,  to  impress  on  them  that,  as  they  could  hope  for 
salvation  only  through  the  merits  of  their  Lord  and 
Redeemer  Jesus  Christ,  they  should  be  frequent  and 
earnest  in  invoking  the  grace  of  God  to  enlighten 
and  purify  their  hearts,  to  strengthen  them  against 
the  temptations  of  the  world,  and  to  enable  them  to 
discharge  the  public  duties  of  the  ministry  as  well 
as  the  private  duties  of  the  Christian  life." 

The  constitution,  containing  the  provision  for 
these  useful  exercises,  and  for  the  general  regula- 
tion and  government  of  the  society,  was  drawn  up 
by  Mr.  Hobart;  and  the  prescribed  forms  of  devo- 
tion which   he   compiled   and  composed,   were  so 

15 


114  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

beautiful,  appropriate,  and  impressive,  that,  as  they 
were  never  joined  in  without  emotion,  so  I  think 
they  cannot  be  read  without  admiration. 

Having  been  a  member  of  this  society  myself  for 
many  years,  it  may  be  that  the  sacred  recollection 
of  them,  now  doubly  hallowed  by  their  association 
with  my  departed  friend,  invests  them  with  an 
interest  which  they  may  not  in  reality  possess;  but 
still  it  is  thought  that  the  insertion  of  them  may  be 
gratifying  to  some  readers,  and  at  least  preserve 
another  memorial  of  the  deep,  uniform,  and  fervent 
piety  of  their  author. 

"  Offices  of  Devotion  for  the  Episcopal  Theolo- 
gical Society. 

<'  Office  of  Devotion  at  the  opening  of  the  busi- 
ness of  each  meeting. 

"  The  minister  to  recite  some  appropriate  sen- 
tences of  Scripture,  and  then  to  say — 

"  Let  us  approach  the  throne  of  the  heavenly 
grace  with  the  confession  of  our  sins. 

"  The  Confession  in  the  Liturgy  to  be  then  re- 
peated by  the  minister  and  the  members  of  the 
society,  kneeling. 

"  After  which  shall  follow  the  collect  or  the  first 
prayer  for  Ash- Wednesday,  and  then  the  Lord's 

Prayer.  'j 

"  Here,  all  standing  up,  the  minister  shall  say — 
"Praise  ye  the  Lord;  , 

"  Answer,     The  Lord's  name  be  praised. 
"The  minister  and  the  members  of  the  society 
shall  then  recite,  alternately,  the  psalm  in  the  Office 
of  Devotion  for  the  morning  of  Whit-Sunday,  in 
the  American  edition  of  the  Festivals  and  Fasts. 


i_. 


RKJHT  REV.  JOUIS   HENKY  HOBAUT.  115 

"  And  after  the  lesson,  the  prayer  following,  all 
devoutly  kneeling,  the  minister  first  pronouncing — 

"  Let  us  pray. 

"  Almighty  God,  forasmuch  as  without  thee  we 
are  not  able  to  please  thee,  grant  us  the  aids  of  thy 
heavenly  grace  in  the  important  duties  in  which  we 
are  now  to  be  engaged.  Blessed  be  thy  holy  name 
that  thou  hast  inspired  these  young  persons  with  the 
resolution  to  devote  themselves  to  thee  in  the  sacred 
ministry  of  thy  Church.  Aid  them,  O  Lord,  in  their 
preparation  for  this  most  important  and  honourable 
work.  Open  to  their  minds  the  treasures  of  thy 
everlasting  Gospel.  Imprint  on  their  hearts  the 
great  truths  of  salvation  through  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ.  May  they,  in  all  their  studies,  and  in  all 
their  exercises,  be  diligent,  zealous,  and  faithful ; 
may  they  aim  at  advancing  thy  glory  and  the  im- 
mortal interests  of  their  fellow-men ;  may  their  only 
emulation  be,  who  shall  love  thee  best,  who  shall 
serve  thee,  the  greatest  and  the  best  of  Beings, 
with  the  purest  zeal ;  and  may  they  advance  in  that 
divine  knowledge  by  which  they  will  finally  save 
their  own  souls  and  the  souls  of  those  to  whom 
they  may  hereafter  minister,  through  the  merits  and 
mediation  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

"  Then  shall  follow  the  Apostolic  Prayer. 

"  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Clirist,  &c. 

"  Office  of  Devotion  at  the  conclusion  of  the 
business  of  each  meetino-. 

"  The  minister  shall  first  say — 

"  Let  us  pray. 

"  And  then,  all  devoutly  kneeling,  shall  be  said 
the  Lord's  Prayer. 


116 


MEMOIR  OF  TIIIC  LIFE  OF  THIS 


"  Here,  all  standing  up,  the  minister  shall  say — 
■    "  Praise  ye  the  Lord. 

"  Answer.     The  Lord's  name  be  praised. 

"  The  minister  and  the  members  of  the  society 
shall  then  recite  alternately  the  psalm  in  the  Office 
of  Devotion  for  the  evening  of  Whit-Sunday,  in  the 
American  edition  of  the  Festivals  and  Fasts. 

"  Then  shall  follow  a  short  portion  of  the  New 
Testament  as  a  lesson. 

"  And  after  the  lesson,  the  prayer  following,  all 
devoutly  kneeling,  the  minister  first  pronouncing — 

"  Let  us  pray. 

"  Most  gracious  and   merciful   God,  we  render 

thee  most  humble  and  hearty  thanks  as  for  all  thy 

mercies,  so  especially  for  the  inestimable  plan  of 

salvation  through  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  in  whom 

we  have  access  unto  thee,  our  offended  Judge,  in 

whom  vv^e  receive  the  spirit  of  truth  and  grace  to 

enlighten  and  purify  our  nature,  and  in  whom  we 

enjoy  a  title  to  an  everlasting  inheritance  of  glory 

beyond  the  grave.     Look  graciously,  we  beseech 

thee,   upon  these  young  persons,  who,  depending 

upon  thy  grace,  are  humbly  desirous  to  prepare  for 

receiving  the  glorious   ministry   of  reconciliation, 

and  to  become  the  heralds  of  mercy  and  salvation 

to  a  fallen  world.     Strengthen   and   increase,  we 

beseech  thee,  the  good  desires  which  thy  grace  has 

enkindled.     Impress  on  them  the  exalted  dignity, 

the  everlasting  importance,  and  the  rich  rewards  of 

the  Christian  ministry,  that  no  prospect  of  worldly 

advantage,  no  enticements  of  sensual  pleasure,  may 

seduce  them  from  the  service  of  thee.     Amen. 

"  Blessed  Jesus,  the  divine  Head  of  the  Church 


ItlGHT  UEV.  JOIIiX  HENRY  HOUART.  117 

which  thou  hast  purchased  with  thy  blood,  behold 
with  thy  favour  these  young  members  of  thy  fold. 
May  they  ever  cherish  a  deep  sense  of  their  own 
unworthiness  and  depravity,  and  a  lively  view  of 
thy  grace  and  mercy,  that  they  may  be  fitted,  as  the 
ministers  of  thy  everlasting  Gospel,  for  leading  the 
guilty  children  of  men  to  thee,  their  all-sufiicicnt 
and  compassionate  Saviour.     Amen. 

"  Holy  Spirit,  Almighty  Sanctiiier  of  the  faithful, 
enrich  these  persons  with  thy  heavenly  graces. 
Inspire  them  with  deep  humility  and  distrust  of 
themselves,  with  ardent  piety  and  love  to  God, 
with  humble  and  holy  confidence  in  their  Saviour. 
Teach  them  constantly  to  invoke  thy  enlightening 
and  sanctifying  power,  and  in  thy  strength  to  war 
against  all  the  temptations  of  the  world.  May 
they  regard  all  its  highest  pleasures  with  holy  in- 
difference, and  press  forward  for  the  prize  of  their 
high  calling  in  Christ  Jesus.  Sanctify  them  by  thy 
truth,  that  they  may  be  preserved  from  the  evil  that 
is  in  the  world.     Amen. 

"  Holy,  blessed,  and  glorious  Trinity,  unto  thee 
we  commend  them.  Fit  them  for  the  holy  office 
of  displaying  the  manifestation  of  thy  glory  and 
mercy  to  the  world  ;  and  when  they  have  been  the 
successful  instruments  of  turning  many  to  righte- 
ousness, and  of  advancing  the  Redeemer's  kingdom, 
may  they  receive  a  crown  of  glory  that  fadeth  not 
away,  and  be  admitted  to  the  participation  of  thy 
ineffable  felicity.  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  for 
ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

"Unto  God's  gracious  mercy  and  protection  we 
commend  you.     The  Lord  bless  you  and  keep  you. 


118  MKMOm  OF  THK  LIFE  OF  THI3 

The  Lord  make  his  face  to  shine  upon  you,  and  be 
gracious  unto  you.  The  Lord  lift  up  his  counten- 
ance upon  you,  and  give  you  peace  both  now  and 
evermore.     Amen" 

This  society  was  merely  an  humble  eifort  to  im- 
prove the  imperfect  system  of  theological  education, 
and  was  certainly  an  important  aid  to  the  private 
instruction  of  clergymen,  which  was  still  continued. 
Many  look  back  with  gratitude  to  the  helps  and 
advantages  which  it  afforded  to  them  ;  and  some, 
perhaps,  may  number  these  among  the  means  by 
which  they  have  been  raised  in  the  Church  to  use- 
fulness, respectability,  and  honour. 

About  two  years  after  the  establishment  of  this 
society,  Mr.  Hobart  purchased  a  farm  near  Spring- 
field, in  New-Jersey,  which  is  beautifully  situated 
on  a  commanding  eminence,  overlooking  a  wide 
extent  of  country,  with  the  intention  and  hope  of 
being  one  day  able  to  found  there  an  Episcopal 
College,  in  connexion  with  a  Theological  Semi- 
nary. But  the  slumbering  zeal  of  Churchmen  was 
not  yet  awakened.  He  never  ceased,  however,  to 
call  public  attention  to  this  subject,  till,  by  his  con- 
versation, his  writings,  his  influence  in  procuring 
benefactions  from  some  during  their  lives,  and 
prevailing  on  others  to  leave  a  lasting  memorial  of 
themselves,  when  all  things  else  might  be  forgotten, 
the  great  and  noble  work  of  a  foundation  for  theo- 
logical learning  was  auspiciously  begun,  and,  as  we 
trust,  will  at  length  be  gloriously  accomplished. 

In  the  summer  of  1807,  Mr.  Hobart  published  his 
Apology  for  Apostolic  Order.  This  work  was  oc- 
casioned by  the  strictures  and  denunciations  of  the 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAUT.  119 

Christian's  Magazine,  and  addressed  to  its  editor, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Mason.  The  reputation  of  this  gen- 
tleman as  an  accomplished  scholar,  an  eloquent 
preacher,  and  learned  divine,  had  been  long  estab- 
lished in  this  country,  and  widely  spread  abroad. 
With  a  vigorous  mind,  a  forcible  style,  and  the  full 
confidence  of  genius,  he  delighted,  on  all  occasions, 
in  bold  and  striking  expressions;  and  when  contend- 
ing on  theological  points,  he  was  apt  to  infuse  into 
them  a  strong  portion  of  bitterness  and  contempt. 
Rooted  in  his  attachment  to  his  peculiar  principles, 
he  was  thought  by  many  to  have  too  little  respect 
for  the  right  of  judgment  in  others,  and  to  give  to 
the  defence  of  what  he  deemed  the  truth,  too  deep 
a  tinge  of  prejudice  and  passion. 

It  was,  therefore,  an  act  of  boldness,  and  almost 
of  temerity,  in  Mr.  Hobart,  who  was  then  so  much 
less  known,  and  but  little  skilled  in  controversy,  to 
encounter  the  champion  of  the  Presbyterian  cause; 
but  confiding  in  the  goodness  of  his  own,  more  than 
in  his  ability  to  defend  it,  he  entered  fearlessly  upon 
the  contest,  and  retired  from  it  with  credit  to  him- 
self and  advantage  to  the  Church. 

After  noticing  the  general  tone  of  the  Christian's 
Magazine  in  regard  to  all  who  differ  from  the  editor 
in  their  religious  views,  he  asserts,  "  that  it  does 
not  present  a  decided,  yet  decent  defence  of  divine 
truth,  and  exposure  of  error,  but  an  unrelenting 
system  of  intemperate  denunciation  ;"  and  he  makes 
out  the  point  so  clearly,  that  it  must  be  acknow- 
ledged by  every  impartial  reader.  He  fully  justifies 
the  assertion,  "  that  throughout  its  pages  there  is 
an   entire   want   of  that  delicacy  of  feeling,   that 


120  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

modest  recollection  of  human  infirmity,  that  tender 
regard  for  the  character  of  others,  which  are  strictly 
compatible  with  the  sternest  devotion  to  the  cause 
of  truth."  This  is  more  especially  the  case  in  re- 
spect to  the  review  of  the  Collection  of  Essays  on 
Episcopacy,  and  to  the  remarks  on  its  advocates 
and  defenders.  Instead  of  a  calm  and  dispassionate 
inquiry  into  the  abstract  truth  or  falsehood  of  their 
opinions,  they  are  tortured  into  extreme  conse- 
quences, which  are  not  more  odious  than  they  are 
uncharitable  and  unjust.  He  then  shows,  that  in 
defending  their  peculiar  principles,  they  have  only 
availed  themselves  of  a  common  right,  which  it  is 
the  duty  and  the  practice  of  all  Christians  to  exer- 
cise; that  no  greater  stress  is  laid  upon  external 
order  in  the  Episcopal  Church,  than  in  the  Presby- 
terian; and  that  all  the  censure  which  may  be 
heaped  upon  the  former  for  exclusive  pretensions, 
is  equally  applicable  to  the  latter  in  reference  to 
other  denominations.  These  points  are  treated 
with  great  dexterity  and  skill,  and  yet  with  perfect 
fairness  and  candour.  In  the  remainder  of  the 
work,  the  general  subject  of  Episcopacy  is  ably 
discussed;  the  concessions  of  the  Continental  re- 
formers and  later  divines  in  favour  of  it  are  adduced, 
and  the  popular  objections  against  it  refuted.  -  ^-^ 
From  the  circumstance  of  Mr.  Hobart  having' 
followed  the  reviewer's  train  of  remarks,  the  Apology 
is  necessarily  of  a  desultory  character,  and  there- 
fore less  useful  than  if  it  were  an  orderly  and  well- 
digested  work.  It  was  long  his  wish  and  desire  to 
divest  it,  as  far  as  practicable,  of  its  controversial 
form,  in  order  to  give  it  a  general  and  permanent 


lUGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOB  ART.  121 

interest ;  but  in  the  constant  succession  of  liis 
labours  and  cares,  this  good  intention  was  never 
accomplished.  Had  it  passed  through  his  hands 
when  his  style  had  acquired  more  precision  and 
force,  and  been  pruned  of  the  redundancies  with 
which  it  abounds — had  the  sallies  of  imagination 
and  feeling  which  sprung  out  of  temporary  excite- 
ment been  suppressed,  and  the  whole  chastened 
with  the  sober  judgment  and  better  taste  of  his 
riper  years,  it  would  have  been  worthy,  not  only  of 
a  much  higher  degree  of  admiration  than  it  has 
already  received  both  at  home  and  abroad,  but 
would  have  probably  ranked  among  the  best  works 
on  evangelical  truth  and  apostolic  order. 
ii    From  Dr.  Hobart  to  Archdeacon  Daubeny. 

i,i  ■  "  New-  York,  Dec.  11,  1807. 

"  Archdeacon  Daubeny. 

■    "  REV.  SIR, 

"  About  two  years  ago  I  took  the  liberty  to  trans- 
mit to  you  two  productions  of  mine,  to  which  I  was 
emboldened  to  solicit  your  attention ;  as  they  af- 
forded an  evidence  that  I  was  anxious,  according  to 
my  humble  talents,  to  diffuse,  in  my  own  country, 
those  principles  of  primitive  truth  and  apostolic 
order,  for  the  extension  of  which,  in  Britain,  you 
have  so  honourably  and  successfully  laboured. 
Will  you  pardon  the  further  liberty  which  I  take  of 
troubling  you  with  some  copies  of  a  work  in  de- 
fence of  my  former  productions  against  the  attacks 
of  a  bitter  opponent  of  Episcopacy  in  this  city'? 
One  copy  you  will  do  me  the  favour  to  keep  for 
yourself,   and   the  others,   should  you  think  them 

16 


V22  '  MF.MOIU  OF  THK  LIFK  OF  THE 

worthy  of  so  mucli  ultenlion,  to  bestow  on  such  of 
your  friends  as  you  may  think  proper. 

"  We  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  Dissenters 
in  England  are  active  in  the  circulation  of  works 
written  in  this  country  against  Episcopacy;  and  we 
have  observed  a  notice  in  some  late  London  perio- 
dical publications,  that  one  of  these  works  will  be 
republished  in  that  city.  The  principal  motive, 
therefore,  which  leads  me  to  trouble  you  with  the 
books  wliich  accompany  this  letter,  is  to  satisfy  one 
so  much  interested  as  you  must  be  in  the  welfare  of 
the  Apostolic  Church  throughout  the  world,  that 
that  branch  of  it  which  subsists  in  this  country  does 
not  want  sons  determined  to  defend  her  to  the  best 
of  their  abilities.  Should  you  honour  my  book  with 
a  perusal,  you  will  find  that  the  liberal  use  which, 
in  my  former  productions,  I  made  of  your  writings, 
induced  an  attack  upon  you,  which  I  have  endea- 
voured to  repel.  ■='- 

"  To  you,  indeed,  the  cause  of  apostolic  order  is 
greatly  indebted,  and  you  merit  the  veneration  and 
gratitude  of  all  its  friends.  That  Providence  may 
preserve  you  for  long  and  increasing  usefulness  in 
the  Church  of  which  you  are  so  distinguished  an 
ornament,  permit  me  to  say.  Rev.  Sir,  is  the  sincere 
prayer  of  "k.  iiOiB-riiv":*  "Mil  •*«•:  . 

"  Your  very  respectful   ■  v!    o-. 
"  And  obedient  servant, 
■^':h'         i  "J.  H.  HOBART." 

To  this  letter  the  Archdeacon  sent  a  full   and 
gratifying  reply  in  the  following  spring. 


RIGHT  KEY.  JOHN  HENRY  HOUAUT.  123 

.,     .f  <' Bath,  March  Q,  inOQ. 

"  REV.  SIR, 

"  I  have  received,  and  read  with  great  satisAiction 
and  interest,  the  contents  of  the  two  packets  you 
have  done  nie  the  honour  to  transmit  to  me  from 
New- York  ;  for  the  favour  of  which  you  would 
certainly  have  received  a  much  earlier  acknow- 
iedgment,  had  my  bookseller  in  London  properly 
discharged  the  commission  with  which  he  was  in- 
trusted by  me  two  years  since.  Indeed,  he  is  a 
man  whose  head  seems  to  be  taken  up  with  such  a 
multiplicity  of  business,  that  I  cannot,  at  this  time, 
be  perfectly  satisfied  whether  my  commission  has 
been  executed  or  not ;  but  if  it  has,  it  is  evident  from 
your  last  letter,  that  it  has  been  executed  in  vain, 
-as  what  was  intended  for  my  respectable  corres- 
pondents in  New- York,  has  not  come  to  hand. 
It  is  only  left  for  me,  therefore,  to  hope  that  the 
present  conveyance,  through  Captain  Rossiter,  may 
prove  more  successful,  that  at  length  I  may  not 
appear  to  be  inattentive  to  your  valuable  coinmu- 
nication. 

"  Believe  me^  Sir,  I  have  read  with  particular 
satisfaction,  and  not  without  profit,  your  Apology 
for  Apostolic  Order,  and  am  only  sorry  to  think, 
that  the  prevailing  dissensions  among  those  who 
ought  to  be  joined  together  in  the  same  mind  and 
in  the  same  judgment,  render  such  an  Apology 
necessary.  At  the  same  time,  I  have  pleasure  in 
saying  that  the  cause  you  have  undertaken  has  not 
suftered  in  your  hands  :  indeed,  I  consider  myself 
indebted  to  you  for  a  still  more  confirmed  judgment 
(if  that  were  possible)  on  the  subject  of  apostolic 


124  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

order,  than  I  actually  possessed  before  the  reading 
of  your  pages.     At  the  same  time,  it  is  to  be  deeply 
lamented  that  a  subject  upon  which  good  men  have 
differed,  and  will  continue  to  differ  in  opinion,  till 
such  time  as  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  shall 
have  subdued  all  her  enemies,  cannot  be  fairly  en- 
tered upon  with  a  view  to  the  just  appreciation  of 
its  merits,  without  such  a  mixture  of  uncharitable 
censure  as  cannot  fail  to  disgrace  the  party  who 
has  recourse  to  it.     On  this  head,  however,  it  is  a 
satisfaction  to  think  that  the  advocates  for  Epis- 
copacy have  little  to  answer  for.     God  grant  that 
they  may  ever  bear  in   mind  of  what   spirit  they 
ought  to  be. 

"  At  the  same  time,  it  has  always  been  a  matter 
of  some    surprise  to   me,   that  the    opponents   of 
Episcopacy — those  I  mean,  who  have  manifested 
abilities  when  handling  other  subjects — should  have 
proved  themselves  to  be  so  deficient  when  engaged 
on  this,  as  apparently  not  to  know,  or  at  least  not 
to  consider,  that  sneering  and  invective  constitute 
no  part  of  sound  argument ;  and  that  nothing  can 
so  demonstrate  the  weakness  of  the  cause  under- 
taken, as  the  use  of  such  weapons  in  its  defence. 
Certain  it  is,  that  Dr.  Campbell  lessened  his  estab- 
iished  reputation  by  his  Lectures  on  Ecclesiastical 
History;  whilst,  from  the  manner  in  which  he  com- 
mitted himself  in  the  subjectof  Episcopacy,  nothing 
is  more  clear  to  my  mind,  than  that  the  Doctor 
felt  the  weakness  of  the  ground  which,  as  a  Pro- 
fessor of  the   Scotch  Kirk,   he  considered  himself 
obliged  to  take.    For  the  subject  in  dispute,  between 
Episcopacy  and    Presbytery,  does  not  turn   upon 


UIOHT  REV.  JOniV  HENRY  HOBART.  125 

Opinion,  but  upon/«ct;  and  fact  is  to  be  determined 
by  its  proper  evidence. 

"  On  the  supposition,  then,  that  Dr.  Campbell 
was  qualified  for  reading  lectures  on  ecclesiastical 
history,  (and  I  venture  to  say  the  same  for  your 
American  opponents,  admitting  that  they  stand  in 
that  predicament,^  he  must  have  known  that*' the 
evidence  of  ecclesiastical  history,  both  ancient  and 
modern,  was  most  decidedly  against  the  point  which 
he  so  much  laboured  to  establish. 

**  In  such  case,  we  are  sorry  to  say,  it  is  the  cause, 
not  the  truth,  for  which  such  writers  contend. 

"  I  have  a  pleasure  in  sending  you  five  of  my 
volumes,  accompanied  with  some  occasional  publi- 
cations of  minor  Consequence,  which,  however, 
may  serve  to  employ  a  vacant  hour.  Should  you 
be  already  furnished  with  them,  you  will  make  them 
acceptable  to  some  friend,  who  may  deem  them 
worthy  his  attention ;  at  all  events,  they  are  at 
your  service,  and  in  any  way  at  your  disposal; 
happy  on  my  part,  if  I  can  be  made  in  any  degree 
instrumental  in  promoting,  directly  or  indirectly, 
the  great  cause  which  we  equally  have  at  heart. 
The  *  VindicijTB  Eccles.  Anglican,'  perhaps  you  may 
not  have  seen.  The  publication  was  occasioned 
by  an  illiberal  attack  on  the  clergy  by  one  of  our 
own  body;  a  person  who  distinguishes  himself  and 
those  who  think  with  him,  by  the  exclusive  title  of 
evangelical  ministers.  The  object  of  Mr.  Overton's 
publication  seems  to  be,  that  of  bringing  back  the 
Church  of  England  to  the  days  of  Calvinistic  puri- 
tanism.  But  there  are  not,  and  I  trust  never  will 
be,  wanting   among  us,  ministers   of  the   Church 


126  MEMOIR  OF  THK  1.IFE  OF  THE 

qualified  to  draw  the  line  of  just  discrimination 
between  the  genuine  doctrines  of  our  reformers, 
and  that  early  corruption  of  them,  which,  in  process 
of  time,  proved  so  ruinous  both  to  Church  and 
State  in  this  country,  at  a  most  unhappy  period  of 
her  history. 

"  The  life  of  Dr.  Johnson  is  a  most  interesting 
publication.  In  the  late  Mr.  Boucher  the  Church 
lost  a  dutiful  and  affectionate  son,  and  I  a  most 
esteemed  friend.  I  lament,  on  both  our  accounts, 
that  he  was  so  soon  removed  from  among  us.  Be- 
lieve me,  Rev.  Sir,  with  best  wishes  for  the  further 
success  of  your  valuable  labours  in  the  cause  of 
the  Church, 

"  With  much  regard, 

*'  Your  sincere  and  affectionate 
"  Brother  in  Christ, 

"  CHARLES  DAUBENY." 

The  Apology  for  Apostolic  Order  was  also  noticed 
in  terms  of  high  commendation  by  the  Rev.  Charles 
Crane,  of  Stockton  Priory,  near  Southam,  Warwick- 
shire, in  a  letter  to  William  Poyntell,  Esq.  of  Phi- 
ladelphia. .  f         ;    1 

■  I  ly  .  "  22d  August,  1S09. 
"  1  am  a  good  deal  interested  in  an  American 
tract  which  I  began  to  read  yesterday,  upon  a  sub- 
ject I  little  expected  to  have  seen  so  ably  handled 
on  your  side  the  water.  It  contains  some  letters 
from  Mr.  Hobart  to  Dr.  Mason,  upon  the  subject  of 
Episcopacy.  It  seems  to  have  been  occasioned  by 
the  animadversions  of  Dr.  Mason  upon  some  former 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  127 

pieces  of  the  author,  which  I  have  not  seen.  The 
tract  in  question  appears  to  possess  uncommon 
merit;  and  whoever  Mr.  Hobart  is,  he  writes  like  a 
gentleman,  a  scholar,  and  a  Christian. 

"  But  the  chief  reason  of  my  mentioning  this  tract 
is,  to  congratulate  you  upon  the  fair  progress  which 
literature  seems  to  be  making  with  you,  (taking  it 
for  granted,  that  Mr.  Hobart  was  educated  in 
America,)  of  which  the  work  in  question  is  a  most 
laudable  specimen." 

Besides  the  original  works  wliich  he  wrote,  his 
emendations  of  others,  and  his  numerous  compila- 
tions, he  undertook,  in  1808,  a  periodical  publica- 
tion, entitled  the  Churchman's  Magazine,  which  was 
strictly  devoted  to  the   maintenance  of  the  same 
sound  principles  that  had  hitherto  been  the  ruling 
aim  of  his  labours,  exhibiting  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus,  and  the  Church  which  he  purchased  with  his 
blood,  in  all  her  integrity,  purity,  and  glory.   Though 
aided  in  this  work  by  many  of  his  brethren,  whose 
views  and  feelings  were  in  harmony  with  his  own, 
yet  he  contributed  largely  to  it  himself,  and  he  con- 
tinued to  conduct  it  for  several  years  with  a  good 
degree  of  ability   and   success.     In   what  way  he 
found  time,  amidst  the  pressing  duties  of  his  paro- 
chial charge,  to   unite  with  these  literary  labours 
many  other  engagements  and  cares,  was  always  a 
matter    of  admiration    and    surprise.     He    was    a 
Trustee  of  the  Society  Library,  and  of  Columbia 
College;  a  Member  of  the  Standing  Committee,  and 
the  Committee  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel; 
Secretary  of  the  Society  for  Promoting  Religion  and 
Learning,  of  the  Bible  and  Common  Prayer  Book 


128 


.-i  MEMOril  OF  THE  IJFE  OF  THE 


Society,  of  the  Convention  of  the  Diocese,  and  of 
the  General  Convention.     And  in  all  these  bodies 
he  was  an  active  and  efficient  member,  thoroughly 
versed  in  their  constitutions  and  laws,  interested  in 
their  objects  and  designs,  skilled  in  their  business 
and  attentive  to  it,  anxious  for  their  welfare,  prompt 
in  his  suggestions,  fluent  and  eloquent  in  debate, 
sound,  judicious,  and  practical  in  all  his  views.     In 
addition  to  all  this,  he  was  an  accurate  observer  of 
human   nature.     He  penetrated    at   once   into   the 
character  of  others,  saw  their  weakness  and  their 
strength,  and  knew  how  to  direct  and  control  them 
both.    With  an  almost  intuitive  perception,  he  com- 
prehended at  a  glance  all  the  bearings  of  any  sub- 
ject  under   discussion,    seized    upon    the    leading 
points,  and  anticipated  its  results.     If  there  were 
any  time  for  preparation,  he  also  brought  to  it  the 
fruits  of  mature  reflection  and  industrious  research. 
It  may  easily  be  imagined,  then,  how  soon  he  began 
to  acquire  an  influence  in  all  the  institutions  with 
which  he  was  connected,  and  prepared  the  way  for 
that    ascendency  which    he   finally   gained    in  the 
counsels  of  the  Church.         ,-,         ^       .     )•.    =     j';;{firt 
I  now  come   to   a  painful   part  of  my   subject, 
which  could  not,  however,  be  passed  over  without  a 
misconstruction  of  my  own  views,  and  some  injury, 
perhaps,  to  the  memory  of  Dr.  Hobart;  and  a  brief 
notice  of  which,  may  not  be  without  its  bitter  and 
wholesome  uses  to  those  who,  on  light  and  trivial 
grounds,  may  hereafter  be  disposed  to  disturb  the 
peace  of  the  Church.     When,  after  a  long  series  of 
useful  labours,  and  a  constant  exhibition  of  those 
eminent  gifts  and   qualifications  which  fitted  him 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  129 

for  a  station  of  honour  and  power,  it  was  perceived 
that  there  was  a  general  disposition  to  elevate  him 
to  the  Episcopal  office,  from  the  exercise  of  which 
Bishop  Moore   had  withdrawn  on   account  of  his 
infirmities  ;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jones,  who  was  one  of  his 
associates  in  Trinity  Church,  published  a  pamphlet 
against  him,  entitled  "  The  Solemn  Appeal,"  with 
the  design  and  hope  of  defeating  his  election.     It 
was  a  great  shock  to  public  feeling  ;  exciting,  in  the 
first  instance,  universal  regret,  and  a  loud  burst  of 
indignation  against  the  author.     The  piece,  how- 
ever, contained  such  charges  as  were  calculated  to 
gratify  the  malevolent  curiosity  of  some,  to  create 
temporary  prejudices  in  others  of  a  more  generous 
cast,  and  to  produce  in  a  few  who  had  no  previous 
good  will  towards  Dr.  Hobart,   a  groundless   and 
lasting  dislike.     The  Church  was  therefore  thrown 
into  a  ferment.     Parties  were  formed  in  behalf  of 
the  assailant  and  the  assailed  ;  and  many,  doubtless, 
defended  the  one  or  vindicated  the  other  with  more 
warmth  and  violence   than  b^^came  the  Gospel  of 
peace  and  good  will.     Another  class,  who  were  of 
a  quiet  and  pacific  temper,  without  a  due  consider- 
ation of  the  merits  of  the  case,  condemned  them 
both.     But  the  overwhelming  sense  of  the  commu- 
nity was  in  favour  of  the  accused.     Dr.  Hobart,  for 
years,  was  not  aware  of  the  unfriendly  feelings  of 
Mr.  Jones,  nor  was  he  fully  apprised  of  the  extent 
of  his  injurious  opinions,  and  his  deep-rooted  hos- 
tility, until  the  appearance  of  his  "  Solemn  Appeal." 
The  subjects  of  complaint,  which,  in  some  cases, 
arose  out  of  misapprehension,  or  which,  when  fairly 
understood,  were  of  the  most  trifling  nature,  may, 

17 


It50  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

for  the  most  part,  be  traced  to  the  different  temper 
and  character  of  the  parties  themselves  ;  they  were 
not  of  congenial  feelings,  dispositions,  and  habits, 
those  elements  of  harmony  and  love.    It  has  seldom 
happened  that  two  persons  have  been  brought  into 
so  close  a  relation  to  each  other,  who  were  more 
entirely   unlike,    than  Mr.  Jones  and  Dr.  Hobart. 
The  first  was  cold,  formal,  and  stately  in  his  man- 
ners; the  last,  all  freedom,  cordiality,  and  warmth. 
The  one  was  sensitive,  suspicious,  and  reserved  ; 
the    other    communicative,    frank,    and    confiding. 
The   one   nurtured   resentment — kept   a  record  of 
hasty  sallies  of  feeling  and  unguarded  sayings,  and 
magnified  infirmities  into  glaring  faults  ;  the  other 
never  received  an  offence  without  seeking  at  once 
to  have  it  explained,  in  order  that  it  might  be  over 
and  forgotten,  and  never  gave  it  without  making  a 
prompt  and  ample  atonement.    It  is  not  surprising^ 
then,  that  there  should  have  been  occasional  mis- 
understandings and  differences  between  them  ;  and 
these  divisions  were  Gat  easily  healed,  for  the  con- 
ciliatory spirit  of  the  one  was  not  always  met  with 
a  corresponding  temper  in  the  other,  but  the  man- 
ner was  so  unkind,  and  the  exactions  so  rigorous, 
as  to  leave  nothing  to  the  generous  impulses  of  his 
own  nature. 

A  correct  judgment  of  the  case,  hov/ever,  can 
only  be  formed  by  a  notice  of  the  charges  which 
were  brought  against  him,  and  of  the  way  in  which 
they  were  repelled.  Mr.  Jones  asserted,  that  pre- 
judices had  been  excited  against  him  throughout 
the  state,  and  insinuated  that  they  were  created  by 
Dr.  Hobart,  but  brought  no  proof  of  the  truth  of  his 


HIOMT  UEV.  JOHN  HENRY  IIUBAllT.  151 

conjecture.  He  stated  it  as  a  fact,  that  the  young 
men  who  were  designed  for  the  ministry,  to  wiiom 
he  had  given  his  assistance,  advice,  and  direction 
in  their  studies,  and  the  hospitality  of  his  house, 
had,  for  the  most  part,  upon  their  entrance  into 
orders,  broken  oft"  their  intercourse  with  him;  and 
this  defection  he  evidently  supposed  was  to  be 
traced  to  the  same  source,  though  no  attempt  was 
made  to  show  the  justness  of  the  suspicion.  The 
third  charge  related  to  the  publication  of  a  piece 
in  the  papers,  to  correct  a  misstatement  in  regard 
to  some  circumstances  connected  with  General 
Hamilton's  death,  which  had  been  inserted  without 
his  concurrence,  after  a  previous  consultation  with 
himself  and  another,  and  which  differed  in  some 
degree  from  a  paragraph  that  had  been  already 
prepared  and  met  with  their  joint  approbation. 
The  alteration,  however,  was  not  made  upon  the 
authority  of  one  alone,  but  of  two  out  of  three. 
The  fourth  charge  was  the  refusal  of  Dr.  Hobart 
to  preach  on  his  leisure  Sunday  for  Mr.  Jones 
without  a  return,  when  the  latter  had  been  requested 
by  the  Bishop  to  supply  some  vacant  churches  in 
the  country,  on  the  ground  that  he  himself  was 
always  very  exact  in  requiring  an  equivalent  for 
similar  oflices.  In  respect  to  both  these  cases, 
some  playful  and  careless,  as  well  as  some  irritating 
expressions,  were  said  to  have  been  used ;  but 
though  a  frank  apology  was  made  for  them,  which 
should  have  buried  them  for  ever  in  oblivion,  they 
were,  many  years  after,  published  to  the  world. 
The  next  was  in  regard  to  a  censure  of  Mr.  Jones's 
conduct  as  a  member  of  the  Standing  Committee, 


132  MEMOIR  OF  THIS  LIFB  OF  THE 

for  recommending  a  person  as  a  candidate  for 
orders,  of  whose  fitness  he  knew  that  doubts  were 
entertained  by  two  of  the  members,  who,  at  the 
time  of  his  admission,  were  absent.  This  also  led 
to  some  remarks  which  were  deemed  offensive, 
though,  from  his  own  statement,  not  stronger,  it 
would  seem,  than  were  justified  by  the  occasion. 
Another  ground  of  complaint,  was  an  intimation 
from  Dr.  Hobart  that  an  interchange  of  pulpits  on 
his  part  with  two  clergymen,  one  of  whom  was  in 
the  habit  of  deviating  from  the  regular  services  of 
the  Church,  and  both  of  whom  had  condemned  the 
proceedings  of  an  ecclesiastical  court  in  the  degra- 
dation of  an  unworthy  minister,  would  necessarily 
lead  to  an  interruption  of  their  friendly  intercourse  ; 
for  he  considered  that  conduct  so  censurable  in 
both  respects,  ought  to  receive  no  countenance 
from  one  of  his  associates.  Mr.  Jones  regarded 
this  intimation  as  a  species  of  dictation,  to  which  he 
was  not  bound  to  submit,  though  this  was  repeatedly 
disclaimed ;  and  he  then  recounted  new  instances 
of  harshness  and  unkindness  in  the  frequent  conver- 
sations which  arose  out  of  this  subject.  The  most 
offensive  of  all  the  provocations  which  he  com- 
plained of  having  received,  was  a  remark  that  was 
made  in  regard  to  an  indication  of  his  own  violence 
of  temper  towards  another  clergyman,  though  he 
acknowledged  that  he  felt  indignant,  and  evidently 
thought  that  the  feeling  was  natural  and  just. 
Another  ground  of  accusation  was,  that  through 
the  same  unfriendly  influence  towards  him,  he  had 
been  turned  out  of  the  Standing  Committee  of  the 
diocese  ;  and  finally,  that  when  the  time  approached 


RIGHT  KEV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAllT.  1S3 

for  the  election  of  an  Assistant  Bishop,  Dr.  Hobart 
declined  any  conversation,  in  reference  to  this  sub- 
ject, with  one  who  had  been  selected  to  oppose  his 
advancement,  and  favoured  the  measures  which  his 
friends  had  adopted  to  secure  his  own. 

This  is  in  substance  a  full  and  fair  statement  of 
all  the  charges  which  could  be  reduced  to  a  specific 
form.  Several  of  them  are  mere  matters  of  infer- 
ence and  surmise ;  others  of  so  trifling  a  nature, 
that  a  lofty  mind  would  have  scorned  to  notice  them. 
Some  of  the  accusations  relate  to  points  in  which 
every  one  has  a  right  to  think  and  act  for  himself, 
and  the  only  things  of  the  least  degree  of  serious- 
ness and  weight  which  were  alleged  against  him 
with  any  semblance  of  proof,  were  a  quickness  of 
temper,  an  unguardedness  of  speech,  and  occasional 
unkindness  of  manner,  which  are  often  observed  in 
the  most  noble  and  generous  natures,  and  are  found 
to  be  the  only  infirmities,  amidst  all  the  other  per- 
fections and  graces  of  the  Christian  character. 
Besides,  the  matters  complained  of  were,  with  one 
single  exception,  personal  wrongs,  where,  from  self- 
love,  the  party  who  thought  himself  aggrieved  ought 
to  have  entertained  a  great  distrust  of  his  own  judg- 
ment, and  not  rashly  intruded  them  on  the  notice  of 
the  public;  and  much  more  should  have  been  borne 
in  meekness  and  silence,  before  he  furnished  such 
a  subject  of  scandal  to  religion,  and  of  grief  to  the 
Church.  The  ambition,  intolerance,  and  tyranny 
which  he  ascribed  to  Dr.  Hobart,  had  there  been 
sufficient  grounds  for  the  charge,  would  liave  been 
an  effectual  barrier  to  his  elevation ;  for  these-  are 
qualities   too  conspicuous    and    glaring  to  escape 


134  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFli  OF  THE 

public  observation,  and   too   odious  to   meet  with 
public  favour  and  reward. 

Dr.  Hobart  completely  vindicated  himself  against 
all  the  charges  of  the  *'  Solemn  Appeal."  He 
showed  that  there  was  not  the  slightest  ground  for 
the  suspicion  of  Mr.  Jones,  that  he  had  raised  up 
prejudices  against  him  throughout  the  diocese.  He 
established  this  point,  not  merely  by  the  most  solemn 
denial  of  it  on  his  own  part,  but  by  the  full  and  ex- 
plicit testimony  of  others.  He  proved,  by  the  written 
declarations  of  a  great  number  of  his  most  intimate 
clerical  and  lay  friends,  to  whom  he  was  in  the  habit 
of  unbosoming  himself  without  restraint,  that,  for 
a  long  course  of  years,  he  had  never,  even  in  the 
freest  moments  of  social  converse,  uttered  a  single 
word  to  his  disadvantage,  but  had  always  spoken  of 
him  with  kindness  and  respect.  And  he  did  not 
alter  his  course  towards  him  until  he  discovered, 
from  various  quarters,  in  a  way  which  left  no  room 
for  doubt,  that  his  friendly  feelings  were  not  reci- 
procated— that  Mr.  Jones  decried  his  controversial 
writings — accused  him  of  ambition  and  self-gratu- 
lation — made  the  most  injurious  representations 
against  his  character — declared  that  he  had  drawn 
up  charges  against  another  clergyman  that  he  was 
not  able  to  substantiate — and  favoured  a  plan,  as 
there  was  good  reason  to  believe,  for  turning  him 
out  of  the  office  of  Secretary  of  the  Convention. 
Even  then,  from  his  earnest  desire  to  preserve  the 
peace  of  the  Church,  it  was  shown  by  the  state- 
ments of  friends  with  whom  he  was  in  habits  of  daily 
intercourse,  that  he  spoke  of  these  matters  with 
great  delicacy  and  reserve,  and  acted  with  remark- 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  135 

able  forbearance  and  kindness.  The  intimation  of 
his  having  employed  unworthy  means  to  estrange 
from  Mr.  Jones  the  affections  of  most  of  the  young 
men  who  were  designed  for  the  ministry,  was  dis- 
proved by  their  denial  of  the  fact ;  and  the  cause 
assigned  by  some  of  them  for  the  alienation,  was 
the  disrespectful,  unjust,  and  calumnious  manner  in 
which  he  was  accustomed  to  speak  of  his  brethren. 
In  the  several  cases  in  which  it  was  alleged  that 
Dr.  Hobart  had  acted  with  discourtesy  and  unkind- 
ness,  he  gave  the  most  satisfactory  explanations  of 
his  conduct;  and,  where  he  himself  had  disapproved 
of  his  colleague's,  he  showed  that  it  was  not  from  a 
censorious  temper,  nor  a  spirit  of  dictation,  but  to 
preserve  friendship  and  harmony  among  themselves, 
and  to  vindicate  the  authority  of  the  Church.  And 
with  respect  to  the  numerous  accusations  of  bitter- 
ness and  asperity  in  his  language,  and  to  the  impu- 
tations of  violence,  impetuosity,  and  passion  in  his 
manner,  he  utterly  denied  that  there  had  been  any 
breach  of  civility  and  decorum,  or  any  warmth  but 
what  naturally  arose  out  of  the  earnestness  of  de- 
bate. Some  conversations  had  been  misunderstood, 
others  changed  in  their  character  by  omissions,  all 
exaggerated  and  discoloured.  And  finally,  he  con- 
trasted his  conduct  with  that  of  Mr.  Jones,  show- 
ing with  how  little  justice  and  propriety  he  could 
complain,  who,  at  the  very  time  that  he  was  treated 
with  unsuspecting  confidence,  was  secretly  attempt- 
ing to  destroy  the  reputation  and  influence  of  his 
brother,  who,  on  one  occasion,  in  a  conversation 
with  a  clergyman,  intimated  "  that  he  was  pursuing 
a  system  of  favouritism  and  denunciation — enlarged 


13(5  MEMOIR  OF  TIIR  LIFH  OF  THE 

on  what  he  deemed  his  imperfections  and  vices — 
and  produced  the  impression  that  he  was  a  hasty, 
ambitious,  and  ill-bred  man,  notworthy  of  the  minis- 
terial character,  nor  deserving  of  the  confidence  of 
his  brethren ;"  who,  on  another  occasion,  observed 
that  "  this  ambitious  young  man  was  aiming  at  the 
top  of  the  ladder,  and  they  must  pull  him  down; 
that  if  he  should  be  elected  to  the  Episcopate, 
they  whould  have  such  a  scene  of  tyranny  exercised 
in  the  Church,  as  had  not  been  seen  since  the  days 
of  Archbishop  Laud;"  and  who,  in  the  "Solemn 
Appeal,"  asserted  that  ''  his  ruling  motive  of  action 
was  the  attainment  of  power,  influence,  and  self- 
exaltation;  that  his  advancement  would  be  promo- 
tive of  a  system  of  intolerance  and  tyranny,  and 
subject  the  clergy  to  a  state  of  servile  submission." 
How  were  these  odious  traits  of  character  to  be 
reconciled  with  the  warm,  enthusiastic,  and  general 
admiration  which  it  had  always  been  his  happiness 
to  enjoy'?  May  I  not  appeal  to  every  one  who  has 
read  this  account  of  his  life,  and  followed  him  from 
childhood  to  youth,  and  youth  to  manhood,  whether 
there  be  not  a  strong  presumption  even  against  the 
charges  of  the  minor  faults  which  were  attributed 
to  him,  in  the  extent  to  which  they  were  carried  ] 
It  has  been  a  source  of  the  highest  gratification  to 
me,  in  every  stage  of  my  inquiries,  that  all  which  I 
knew  of  him  myself,  has  been  confirmed  by  the 
accounts  of  others,  and  furnished  new  reasons  for 
admiration  and  love.  Parity  of  heart  and  life,  the 
kindliest  domestic  affections,  the  warmest  attach- 
ments in  youth  enduring  till  death  dissevered  them, 
disinterestedness  in  his  views,  elevation  of  senti- 


RIGHT  REV.  JOILN  HENRY  HOBAUT.  137 

ment,  singleness  of  purpose,  fervent  piety,  devotion 
to  the  Church  of  the  living  God;  all  is  beautiful, 
consistent,  and  harmonious  throughout.  Friendship 
was  the  solace  of  his  life,  and  no  man  whom  I  ever 
knew  so  quickly  inspired  and  so  fully  enjoyed  it, 
amidst  the  checks  and  interruptions  which  it  is  apt 
to  meet  with  in  this  selfish  world. 

The  dark  picture,  therefore,  which  was  drawn  of 
him  in  the  "  Solemn  Appeal,"  was  so  much  at 
variance  with  his  general  character,  that  it  would 
be  an  utter  violation  of  probability  to  suppose  it 
faithful  and  correct. 

Such  was  the  prevailing  sentiment  at  the  time 
when  it  appeared.  Dr.  Hobart  was  elected  to  the 
Episcopal  office  by  the  suffrages  of  the  great  body 
of  the  clergy  and  laity;  and  none  had  more  reason 
to  deplore  the  effects  of  this  rash  and  intemperate 
publication  than  its  unhappy  author,  whom  it  de- 
prived at  once  of  an  enviable  situation,  and  irre- 
parably injured  in  the  public  esteem. 

And  here  I  will  take  occasion  to  remark,  that  I 
entered  upon  this  subject  with  unfeigned  reluctance, 
and  have  reviewed  it  with  the  utmost  pain  and 
regret ;  but  it  was  so  intimately  connected  with 
an  important  period  of  Bishop  Hobart's  life,  as  to 
make  silence  impossible.  I  have  not  written  under 
the  influence  of  early  prejudice  and  dislike.  In 
my  youth  I  entertained  a  respect  for  Mr.  Jones's 
character,  and  had  a  due  sense  of  his  kindness. 
The  change  in  my  opinions  arose  entirely  out  of 
his  public  conduct.  But,  much  as  I  disapproved  of 
this,  it  was  not  without  commiseration  for  its  con- 
sequences to  himself;    and  God  knows,  that,  if  it 

18 


1^8  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LJFE  OF  THE 

could  have  been  avoided,  I  would  neither  have 
followed  him  beyond  tlie  grave,  nor  revived  the 
sorrows  of  the  living. 

But  after  the  settlement  of  tliis  important  ques- 
tion, the  Church  was  still  kept  for  some  time  in  a 
state  of  agitation.     The  restless  and  discontented 
made  the  most  violent  attacks  on  her  authorities, 
endeavoured  to  thwart  the  exercise   of  discipline, 
and  seemed  to  take  pleasure  in  prolonging  disturb- 
ance and  confusion.     Tiiese  measures  received  a 
degree  of  countenance  from  some  persons  of  weight 
and   consideration,  who  either  had   formed,  as  we 
conceive,  erroneous  opinions  on  the  points  in  dis- 
pute, or  allowed  their  commiseration  for  the  case 
of  an  individual  to  prevail  over  their  regard  for  the 
general  good.     Bishop  Ilobart  met  these  assaults 
with  promptitude  and  vigour,  preserving  great  cool- 
ness of  temper  under  the  strongest  motives  to  ex- 
citement, and  not  only  vindicating  his  cause  with 
success,  but  heightening  the  reputation  which  he 
had  already  acquired  by  new  proofs  of  his  intellec- 
tual power.     The  various  controversies,  however^ 
which  arose  out  of  this  unhappy  contention,  em- 
barrassed him  for  a  while  in  the  discharge  of  his 
Episcopal  duties.     In  the  following  year  he  entered 
upon  them  with  an  ardour  and  zeal  which  were  never 
afterwards  abated  by  similar  discouragements,  but 
uniformly  excited  and  cherished  by  the  countenance, 
support,  and  approbation  of  those  who  were  com- 
mitted to  his  charge;  and  even  some  of  the  clergy 
who  were  conspicuous  in   their  opposition  to  him 
during  the  controversy  with  Mr.  Jones,  as  well  as 
several  among   the  laity,    not   only   changed  their 


u!(;iir  Ki;v.  .ioun  iiErsuv  iiuBAin,  139 

unfavourable  o[)inions  of  him,  but  were  afterwards 
numbered  among  his  wannest  supporters  and 
friends. 

In  consequence  of  the  turbulent  scenes  through 
which  he  had  recently  passed,  it  will  be  seen,  by 
the  following  letter,  that  he  felt  a  more  ardent 
desire  than  ever  for  rural  retirement  and  peace.      , 

From  Dr.  liobart  to  the  llev.  John  ^I'Vickar.     ; 

'^  New-York,  Nov.  9,  ISn. 

'•  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR. 

*<  It  gives  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to  see  you  so 
seriously  engaged  in  the  labours  of  your  ministry. 
I  almost  envy  you  your  happy  retirement ;  with  suf- 
ficient calls  of  duty  to  admit  of  your  usefulness,  and 
none  of  those  perplexing  cares  that  encroach  on  the 
plans  of  study  and  the  joys  of  domestic  life.  A 
clergyman,  usefully  situated  as  you  are,  surrounded 
by  all  his  friends,  and  with  all  the  pleasures  of 
rural  life,  has  many  things  for  wiiich  to  be  thankful. 
Terhaps  hereafter  the  calls  of  duty  may  lead  you 
to  more  public  scenes,  and  then  I  think,  if  you 
should  feel  as  I  do,  you  will  more  fully  appreciate 
your  present  enjoyments. 

"I  am, 

"  Very  sincerely  yours, 

"  J.  H.  IIOBART.', 

From  Dr.  Kollock  (at  Savannah)  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  MY  DEAR  HOBART,  '  , 

"  It  is  late  on  Saturday  afternoon,  and  my  ser- 
mons are  not  finished  for  to-morrow,  yet  I  cannot 


140  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE  , 

permit  the  Juno,  which  sails  in  the  morning,  to 
depart  without  a  few  lines  to  assure  you  that 
neither  interposing  seas  nor  difference  of  commu- 
nion can  diminish  my  love  and  esteem  for  you. 
Wherever  my  lot  may  be  cast  during  the  years  I 
have  to  spend  on  earth,  my  heart  shall  ever  be 
warmed  with  affection  to  you,  and  till  its  last  throb 
I  shall  not  cease  to  regard  you  as  a  faithful,  tender, 
and  long-tried  friend. 

*' Since  my  return  1  have  been  unusually  occupied. 
I  arrived  in  the  height  of  the  sickness,  and  for  some 
time  was  standing  at  the  couches  of  the  dying  and 
over  the  graves  of  the  dead.  How  deeply  ought 
such  scenes  to  teach  us  to  look  for  a  more  durable 
portion  than  this  world  can  give! 

"  My  health  has  never  been  better  than  since  my 
arrival,  and  I  hope  soon  to  acquire  again  the  habits 
of  a  student.  I  have  become  a  true  Presbyterian 
in  my  regimen.  This  produces  such  a  lightness  of 
body  and  vigour  of  mind,  that  I  shall  persevere  in 
it  during  my  life. 

"  I  have  begun  to  my  people,  the  life  of  our  Sa- 
viour, in  the  form  of  sermons.  I  hope  that  the  study 
and  contemplation  of  this  '  great  Exemplar'  will  not 
be  lost  upon  myself,  and  will  be  useful  to  my  flock. 
I  shall  devote  all  my  powers  to  this  course  of  ser- 
mons. They  embrace  subjects  which  deserve  to 
engross  all  the  energies  of  the  mind.  If  you  meet 
with  any  new  works  that  are  really  good,  and  that 
will  assist  me,  be  so  kind  as  to  purchase  them  for 
me;  and  also  (if  you  are  not  using  it,  and  if  you  do 
not  feel  any  apprehension  of  its  being  lost  on  so 
long  a  voyage)   lend    me   Bishop   Taylor's   Great 


RIGHT  IIEV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  141 

Exemplar.     It  shall  be  carefully  used  and  safely 
returned. 

"  The  pews  of  my  church  were  rented  about  a 
fortnight  since  at  public  auction,  (which  has  always 
been  the  custom  here,)  for  the  ensuing  year.  The 
rents  amounted  to  seven  thousand  six  liundred  and 
eighty-eight  dollars;  a  strong  proof  that  the  people 
are  not  indifferent  to  the  public  ordinances  of  reli- 
gion. We  want  more  churches  here  very  much  ; 
and  I  find,  with  great  delight,  that  the  vestry  of  the 
unfinished  Episcopal  church  have  at  last  resolved 
to  complete  it.  Next  year  they  expect  to  have  it 
ready  for  public  worship,  when  they  intend  sending 
on  a  call  to  Mr.  Beasley.  Were  he  with  me,  I  should 
indeed  be  happy. 

"  How  proceeds  the  '  bellum  Episcopale  V  Have 
any  new  champions  appeared  on  either  side  1  Write 
me  particularly  concerning  the  progress  of  the  con- 
troversy. Though  it  does  not  appear  to  me  of  the 
same  consequence  as  to  you,  yet  I  must  be  inter- 
ested wherever  you  are  one  of  the  combatants. 

"  Adieu,  my  dear  Hobart;  it  is  so  dark  that  I 
cannot  see  to  proceed. 

.  ;      ((  Your  sincere  friend 


"  H.  KOLLOCK." 


About  this  period  a  very  accomplished  scholar 
and  divine  of  our  Church  submitted  to  Bishop 
Hobart  the  plan  of  a  periodical  publication,  in  which 
it  was  intended  to  treat  only  of  those  subjects  in 
which  most  Christians  agree,  and  to  exclude  from 
it  all  those  more  controverted  points  which  would 
hinder  its  general  circulation.     This  it  was  thought 


142  MEMOIR  OF  THK  LIFE  OF  THE 

would  still  leave  an  opportunity  of  presenting  the 
Church  in  many  respects  very  advantageously  to 
persons  of  other  denominations,  and,  without  en- 
dangering her  principles,  would  tend  to  promote 
Christian  peace,  unity,  and  love.  The  Bishop  en- 
tirely disapproved  of  the  plan;  and  stated  his  ob- 
jections to  it  with  great  clearness  and  force. 

«  New-York,  Dec,  12,  1812. 

"  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  I  was  on  the  point  of  writing  to  you  yesterday, 
when  your  letter  of  the  8th  instant,  enclosing  the 
prospectus  of  your  magazine,  was  put  into  my 
hands. 

"  Your  proposals  in  your  first  letter  placed  me 
under  no  small  embarrassment.  On  the  one  hand, 
I  could  not  be  insensible  to  the  singular  advantaere 
which  any  publication  would  enjoy  from  talents, 
erudition,  and  taste  so  distinguished  as  yours.  But, 
on  the  other  hand,  it  appeared  to  me  (and  your  pro- 
posals evince  the  truth  of  my  conjecture)  that  you 
contemplated  a  miscellany  very  different  in  design 
from  the  Churchman's  Magazine.  It  is  the  object 
of  your  publication  to  support  and  enforce  the  points 
of  coincidence  among  Christians,  'discarding  those 
on  which  there  must  be  a  difference  of  opinion.' 
Whether  such  a  plan,  however  feasible  in  theory,  is 
capable  of  being  reduced  to  practice,  or  whether,  if 
vigorously  carried  into  execution,  it  would  not  ex- 
clude from  the  work  many  important  doctrines  of 
Christianity,  are  inquiries  which  appear  to  me  wor- 
thy of  consideration.  But,  in  my  view,  the  points 
on  which  our  Church  differs  from  other  societies  of 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOCART.  143 

Christians,  constitute  hor  beauty  and  her  glory. 
That  the  offering  of  Christ  is  a  perfect  redemption, 
propitiation,  and  satisfaction  for  the  sins  of  the 
whole  world,  both  original  and  actual ;  that  the  work 
of  renovation  begun  in  baptism — the  sacrament  of 
regeneration,  is  gradual  and  progressive  ;  that,  after 
grace  given,  we  may  finally  fall  away ;  with  other 
doctrines  that  might  be  enumerated — appear  to  me 
fundamental  tenets  of  our  Church  ;  in  which,  how- 
ever, there  is  very  far  from  being  a  coincidence 
between  her  and  other  denominations  of  Christians. 
That  it  is  evident  unto  all  men,  diligently  reading 
Scripture  and  ancient  authors,  from  the  apostles 
times  there  have  been  three  orders  of  ministers, 
Bishops,  Priests,  and  Deacons;  and  no  man  is  to 
be  accounted  a  lawful  minister  in  the  Church  who 
hath  not  had  Episcopal  consecration  or  ordination; 
that  a  liturgy  for  public  worship  is  sanctioned  by 
Scripture,  by  primitive  practice,  and  is  most  decent 
and  proper;  that  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the 
Church  are  agreeable  to  primitive  usage,  and  tend 
to  edification — are  points  in  regard  to  which  it  is 
not  to  be  supposed  that  Churchmen  can  differ 
from  one  another,  however  they  may  differ  from 
Dissenters. 

"  In  my  humble  judgment,  a  publication  which 
does  not  support  and  defend  these  points,  gives  up 
the  distinctive  principles  of  our  Church,  which  her 
brightest  luminaries  defended  while  living,  and  con- 
secrated in  their  deaths,  and  ceases  to  contend  for 
Christianity  in  her  primitive,  purest,  and  fairest 
form.  Some  of  these  principles,  indeed,  may  be  un- 
popular, and  though  in  reality  they  only  can  per- 


144  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

manently  secure  'the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond 
of  peace,'  the  advocates  of  them  may  be  supposed  to 
be  influenced  by  a  sectarian  spirit;  but  this  imputa- 
tion ought  not  to  have  any  more  effect  in  deadening 
his  zeal,  than  the  opprobium  of  being  a  sect  every 
where  spoken  '  against'  had  on  the  first  defenders 
of  the  Christian  Church. 

"  Satisfied,  too,  I  am,  that  the  display  of  these 
principles,  and  the  zealous  defence  of  them,  have 
most  essentially  contributed  to  revive  and  increase 
our  Church.  In  a  late  visitation  through  the  diocese, 
in  company  with  Dr.  Bowden,  I  found  some  of  the 
most  enlightened  and  zealous  members  of  our 
Church,  and  persons  of  influence  and  standing  in 
society,  who  traced  either  their  conversion  to  the 
Church,  or  the  confirmation  of  their  attachment  to 
it,  to  the  display  and  defence  of  its  principles  in  the 
various  writings  which  from  time  to  time  have 
appeared ;  and  most  certainly  to  the  same  cause 
may  be  traced  the  zeal  and  spirit  of  the  young  men 
in  this  quarter  who  have  lately  entered  the  ministry, 
and  of  others  who  are  preparing  for  it. 

"  These  views,  in  connexion  with  other  circum- 
stances, naturally  excited  the  desire  that  the  Church- 
man's Magazine  should  continue  to  support  the 
principles  which  it  has  hitherto  maintained,  and  that 
it  should  be  conducted  on  a  plan  which,  without 
aspiring  to  high  literary  merit,  would  give  the  plain 
people  of  our  communion  what  they  much  want — 
plain  and  solid  religious  information;  and  that,  of 
course,  it  should  be  afforded  at  a  price  which  would 
render  it  accessible  to  persons  of  this  description. 
Your   publication    appears   to   aim    principally    at 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAUT.  145 

gratifying  readers  of  a  higher  order,  and  the  price 
will  necessarily  prevent  its  general  circulation. 

"  My  cares  and  duties  always  prevented  that  at- 
tention to  the  work  which  was  necessary  to  raise  it 
even  to  the  humble  standing  which  I  was  desirous 
it  should  attain,  and  the  change  of  my  situation,  and 
consequent  increase  of  my  cares  and  duties,  en- 
tirely interfered  with  my  charge  of  the  work.  I 
have  at  length  concluded  to  fall  in  with  a  sugges- 
tion of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Rudd,  and  to  transfer  the 
publication  of  it  to  Elizabeth-Town.  From  the 
pressure  of  the  times,  and  from  other  circumstances, 
I  shall  not  be  surprised  if  there  is  a  falling  off  in  the 
subscriptions,  even  to  so  great  an  extent  as  to 
occasion  the  total  failure  of  the  work ;  still,  however, 
it  appears  adviseable  to  attempt,  at  least,  to  prolong 
the  existence  of  the  only  miscellany  devoted  to  the 
discriminating  principles  of  our  Church.  When 
these  are  forgotten,  or  when  they  cease  to  influence 
the  members  of  our  communion,  that  Church  which 
we  have  been  accustomed  to  revere  as  apostolic 
and  primitive,  will  be  merged  in  the  mass  of  Chris- 
tian sects,  certainly  having  very  inferior  pretensions 
to  these  sacred  titles. 

"  I  know  you  will  not  be  displeased  with  the 
candour  with  which  I  address  you.  I  cannot  repress, 
however  unpleasant,  the  apprehension,  that  your 
views  of  the  best  mode  of  advancing  the  interests 
of  our  Church,  differ  in  some  respects  from  those 
which,  in  common  with  many  others,  I  have  been 
accustomed  to  entertain.  Yet  that  very  liberality 
which  I  sometimes  fear  will  lead  its  votaries  into 
an  indifference  to  those  distinctive  principles  which, 

19 


14G 


flIEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 


the  glory  of  our  Church,  have  preserved  her  from 
the  assaults  of  heresy,  schism,  and  enthusiasm,  will 
prompt  you  to  excuse  in  me  this  honest  difference 
of  opinion — to  believe  me  sincere  in  the  sentiment, 
that  the  prudent,  the  resolute,  and  dispassionate 
defence  of  those  doctrines,  of  that  ministry,  and  of 
that  worship,  which  distinguish  onr  Church  from 
other  Christian  societies,  is  not  incompatible  with 
the  promotion  of  the  endearing  charities  of  life, 
with  strengthening  the  bonds  of  society,  but  is,  in 
fact,  the  surest  way  of  extending  the  kingdom  of 
the  Redeemer.  Accuse  me  not,  my  dear  Sir,  of 
assuming  the  office  of  a  senior,  in  regard  to  one  for 
whom,  on  many  accounts,  I  feel  veneration  and 
esteem;  but  it  did  not  appear  to  me  possible,  with- 
out this  candid  exposition,  to  account  to  you  for 
my  wishing  to  continue  the  Churchman's  Magazine 
under  its  present  title,  and  on  its  original  princi- 
ples. And,  independently  of  this  consideration,  1 
felt  prompted  to  indulge  the  liberty,  which  I  trust 
you  will  excuse,  of  expressing  to  you  my  fears  (I 
wish  they  may  prove  erroneous,)  that  little  good  is 
to  be  expected  to  our  Church  from  a  publication 
which,  though  it  may  not  '  abandon  an  iota'  of  her 
discriminating  tenets,  discipline,  and  worship,  cer- 
tainly asserts  its  claim  to  patronage,  on  its  deter- 
mination to  keep  them  entirely  out  of  view,  as 
those  *  subordinate  subjects  on  which  there  must 
be  a  difference  among  Christians,'  as  the  only 
means  of  discarding  that  sectarian  spirit  so  long 

at  variance  with  the  spirit  of  amity  and  the  bond  of 
peace. 

"  You  see,  my  dear  Sir,  I  have  occupied  the  whole 


illGHT  llEV.  JOHN  HENRY  llOliAHT.  147 

of  my  paper,  and  I  have  trespassed  long  on  your 
patience.     I  conclude  with  assuring  you  that 

"  I  am, 

"  Very  truly,  &c." 

A 

During  this  year*  he  held  confirmation  in  twenty- 
three  churches,  visited  twelve  others,  consecrated 
four  to  the  worship  of  Almighty  God,  and  ordained 
four  deacons  and  seven  priests.  In  administering 
confirmation,  he  added  to  it  every  circumstance 
which  could  heighten  its  effect.  He  prepared  the 
minds  of  the  candidates  for  it,  in  the  first  place,  by 
preaching  an  appropriate  sermon.  In  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  rite  his  manner  was  easy  and  dignified  ; 
and  the  tones  of  his  voice,  which  were  at  all  times 
solemn  and  impressive,  received  a  thrilling  interest 
on  these  occasions,  from  the  intensity  of  his  own 
feelings.  After  the  administration  of  the  rite,  he 
delivered  a  simple  and  practical  address  to  those 
who  had  been  confirmed,  in  so  paternal  and  aftec- 
tionate  a  strain,  as  seldom  failed  to  touch  their 
hearts,  and  to  awaken  corresponding  emotions  in 
their  parents  or  friends;  and  very  often,  indeed,  a 
large  proportion  of  the  assembly  was  melted  into 
tears. 

The  objects  which  he  had  in  view  in  visitino- 
other  churches  without  performing  any  Episcopal 
office,  were  to  preach  to  the  people,  to  encourage 
their  pastors,  to  show  a  parental  solicitude  for  their 
welfare,  to  aid  them  by  his  counsels,  to  stimulate 
them  in  their  exertions,  and  to  strengthen  the  bonds 

C'    :.''■  -.  •'C!    .'.■    *  1812.  _■  ;.  ,  ■■   -'     ' . 


148  JtlERlOIU  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

of  unity  and  love,  both  between   themselves  and 
their  common  head. 

The  peculiar  and  numerous  cares  of  his  public 
station  did  not  materially  interfere,  however,  with 
his  faithful  and  vigilant  discharge  of  the  more  hum- 
ble duties  of  a  pastor,  after  his  elevation  to  the 
Episcopal  office.  His  visitation  of  the  diocese, 
though  often  extending  to  the  most  remote  parts  of 
the  state,  and  comprehending  a  vast  field  for  exer- 
tion— from  the  celerity  of  his  movements,  and  his 
power  of  enduring  both  mental  and  bodily  fatigue, 
was  accomplished  in  so  short  a  period,  as  to  seem 
almost  incredible  to  those  who  read  the  account  of 
his  labours.  The  rest  of  the  year  was  in  a  great 
measure  devoted  to  the  ordinary  duties  of  the 
parish.  And  here,  though  both  Bishop  and  Rector, 
he  claimed  no  exemption  from  any  of  them  on  ac- 
count of  his  multiplied  engagements,  but  preached 
as  regularly  in  his  course  as  the  ministers  who  were 
associated  with  him,  and  attended  with  the  same 
cheerfulness  to  every  parochial  call.  Indeed,  he 
seldom  availed  himself  of  those  opportunities  of 
leisure  which  it  might  have  seemed  that  he  needed, 
but  took  more  pleasure  in  giving  relief  to  others, 
than  in  enjoying  it  himself.  I  have  especial  reasons 
for  a  grateful  recollection  of  his  kindness  in  this 
respect,  which  was  so  often  shown  to  me  during  a 
season  of  declining  health,  as  to  lighten  labours 
which  would  otherwise  have  been  oppressive. 

It  was  a  peculiarity  of  his  mind,  to  fasten  with  the 
same  tenacity  upon  the  object  before  him,  whether 
it  were  minute  or  important,  and  to  feel  that  tem- 
porary interest,  in  either  case,  which  was  sure  to 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOIiART.  149 

procure  for  it  a  due  degree  of  attention.  For  ever 
restless  and  active,  it  seemed  to  be  constantly  re- 
volving within  it  all  the  different  objects  with  which 
he  was  concerned,  so  that  nothing  escaped  his 
recollection  and  notice.  He  was,  therefore,  not 
less  prompt  in  attending  to  the  minor  objects  of  his 
parochial  charge,  than  to  the  more  weighty  cares  of 
his  extensive  diocese.  If  any  thing  also  were  proper 
to  be  done,  he  never  listened  to  the  suggestions  of 
false  delicacy  nor  selfish  prudence,  but  performed 
his  duty,  regardless  of  the  consequences.  An  illus- 
tration of  this  point  in  his  character,  as  well  as  of 
his  pastoral  vigilance,  will  be  found  in  the  following 
letter  to  a  lady,  who,  it  appears,  on  slight  and  in- 
sufficient grounds,  had  come  to  the  resolution  of 
leaving  our  communion. 

"  New-  York,  3Iarch  19,  181 3. 

"MADAM, 

"  I  have  no  doubt  that  you  do  not  suppose  me 
ignorant  of  your  disposition  to  leave  our  Church, 
and  to  join  the  communion  of  another.  I  have 
made  some  unsuccessful  efforts  to  see  you,  in  order 
to  converse  with  you  on  this  subject;  and  should 
have  persevered  in  my  intention,  if  I  had  not  sup- 
posed that  such  an  interview  would  not  be  agree- 
able to  you.  Considering,  however,  my  station  in 
the  Church,  and  the  relation  which  I  bear  to  you  as 
a  minister  of  the  congregation  to  which  you  belong, 
I  hope  you  will  not  deem  it  a  violation  of  esteem 
and  respect,  if  I  earnestly  entreat  you  to  review 
very  seriously  the  motives  which  induce  you  to  for- 
sake the  Church  which  has  nurtured  you,  and  in 


150  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

which  your  first  vows  were  made  to  God.  To  for- 
sake a  Church  sound  in  its  doctrine,  apostolic  and 
valid  in  its  ministry,  and  primitive,  pure,  and  evan- 
gelical in  its  worship,  can  never  be  justifiable.  I 
make  no  invidious  comparisons  of  our  Church  with 
others;  but  certainly,  whatever  may  be  the  imper- 
fections of  the  preaching  of  its  ministers,  its  doc- 
trines are  sound  and  scriptural,  and  its  ministry 
apostolic;  and  it  possesses  a  blessing  which  cannot 
be  too  highly  prized — a  pure,  primitive,  and  evan- 
gelical form  of  worship.  In  this  Church  Providence 
has  cast  your  lot.  To  leave  it  because  you  think 
you  derive  more  edification  from  the  preaching  of 
others,  believe  me,  Madam,  can  be  in  no  respect 
justifiable.  Our  communion  with  the  Divine  Head 
of  the  Church  is  to  be  kept  up  principally  by  a 
participation  in  the  ordinances  and  the  worship  of 
that  Church,  and  not  merely  by  attendance  on 
preaching.  If  any  person  does  not  derive  edifica- 
tion from  the  service  of  our  Church,  in  every  part 
of  which  Jesus  Christ  and  his  merits  and  grace  are 
set  forth  as  our  only  hope  and  strength,  the  fault 
must  be  in  himself,  and  not  in  the  service  of  the 
Church,  or  in  its  ministers. 

"  But  this  plea  of  greater  edification  from  the 
preaching  of  others,  makes  the  feelings  of  each 
individual  and  not  his  judgment,  the  performance 
of  the  minister  and  not  the  nature  of  the  Church, 
the  standard  by  which  he  determines  with  what 
Church  he  shall  commune.  A  Church  may  be  very 
unsound  and  erroneous  in  its  doctrine,  the  consti- 
tution of  its  ministry,  and  the  mode  of  its  worship ; 
and  yetj  if  a  person  thinks  he  is  edified  by  the 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  151 

preaching  of  a  minister  of  that  Church,  according 
to  this  plea  of  edification,  he  is  justifiable  in  joining 
it.  This  same  plea  of  edification  may  therefore 
lead  a  person  to  attach  himself  to  any  Church  in 
which  his  feelings  happen  to  be  interested.  I  have 
known  it  urged  as  a  reason  for  joining  ihe  Roman 
Catholic  Church. 

"  Our  Church  certainly  makes  the  fullest  pro- 
vision for  the  spiritual  wants  of  her  members  ;  and 
would  they  but  humbly,  diligently,  and  faithfully 
unite  in  the  services  of  that  Church  whenever  there 
is  an  opportunity,  they  would  not  fail  of  being 
advanced  in  the  Christian  life,  and  prepared  for 
heaven. 

"  Let  me  then  earnestly  and  respectfully  ask  you. 
Madam,  if  you  are  able  to  prove,  that  the  Church  in 
which  Providence  has  placed  you,  is  unscriptural 
in  doctrine — that  its  ministry  is  not  valid — or  that 
its  mode  of  worship  is  not  primitive  and  evangelical  ? 
Unless  you  are  satisfied  that  this  is  the  case,  believe 
me — and  pardon  my  plainness — in  leaving  that 
Church,  you  will  discover  to  the  world  a  changeable- 
ness  which  will  cause  your  '  good  to  be  evil  spoken 
of;'  and  you  will  be  guilty  of  the  sin  of  schism, 
which,  however  it  may  be  considered  by  the  world, 
an  inspired  apostle  considered  as  a  '  deadly  sin.' 

"  And,  Madam,  let  me  also  respectfully  remind 
you,  that,  even  if  you  were  justifiable  in  leaving  our 
Church,  you  would  not  be  correct  in  joining  any 
other  until  you  had  read  its  confession  of  faith,  and 
ascertained  that  all  its  doctrines,  as  well  as  its 
ministry  and  mode  of  worship,  were  scriptural, 
apostolic,  and  primitive. 


152  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

"  1  have  thus  endeavoured  to  discharge  my  con- 
science of  the  guilt  which,  I  conceive,  will  be  in- 
curred in  forsaking  the  communion  of  our  Church  ; 
and  believe  me,  that  all  my  remarks  have  been 
directed  by  sincere  esteem  and  respect  for  you. 
On  this  subject  you  and  I  will  both  have  to  render 
an  account  to  our  Master  in  heaven. 

"  To  his  grace  and  blessing  I  commend  you. 
"  1  remain, 
(,v  "  Very  sincerely, 

J        "  Your  friend  and  brother, 
j  .  "  J.  H.  H." 

Among  the  subjects  which  the  Bishop  presented 
to  the  notice  of  the  clergy  and  laity  in  his  annual 
address  at  the  meeting  of  the  Convention  of  the 
diocese  in  1813,  he  introduced  one  which  for  years 
had  occupied  his  own  mind,  and  which  he  hoped 
would  at  length  excite  some  interest  in  others. 

"  The  importance  of  an  establishment  for  the 

instruction,  for  the  religious  and  moral  discipline, 

and,  in  some  cases,  for  the  support  of  young  men 

designed  for  holy  orders,  has  always  appeared  to 

me  essential  to  the  prosperity  of  our  Church ;  nor 

were  exertions  and  arrangements  wanting  on  my 

part,  when  in  a  private  station,  to  carry  this  object 

in  some  degree  into  effect.     As  the  responsibility 

of  the  admission  of  persons  to  holy  orders  ultimately 

rests  on  the  Bishop,  and  as,  from  the  nature  of  his 

office   and  the  provisions  of  the  canons,   it  is  his 

duty  to  exercise  a  general  direction  of  their  previous 

studies;  the  necessityof  a  theological  school  presses 

with  greater  force  upon  my  mind  in  the  station 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  153 

which  I  now  occupy.  It  is  an  auspicious  circum- 
stance, that  the  attention  of  the  clergy,  and  of 
Episcopalians  generally,  appears  to  be  awakened 
to  the  importance  of  this  object;  and  I  trust  it  will 
not  be  long  before  a  theological  school  is  estab- 
lished." 

From  an  early  period  of  his  ministry  he  had  also 
been  deeply  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  estab- 
lishing an  Episcopal  college,  in  which  those  young 
per/sons  who  had   been  nurtured  in  the   bosom  of 
the  Church,  might  enjoy  the  advantages  of  a  liberal 
education,  not  only  without  endangering  their  reli- 
gious   principles,    but    where,    in    connexion    with 
human  science,  those  principles  might  be  inculcated 
and  confirmed.     His   anxiety  on  this  subject   had 
doubtless  been  increased  by  his  own  observation 
and  experience  during  a  long  residence  in  a  Pres- 
byterian institution,    as   a  student,   graduate,   and 
tutor,  and  in  a  town  where  there  was  no  Episcopal 
service.     He  was  convinced  that  under  such  circum- 
stances there  would,  in  most  cases,  be  the  risk  of  a 
growing  indifference   among  young   men  to  their 
peculiar  opinions,  and  in  some  a  complete  estrange- 
ment from  that  communion  winch  had  once  been 
the  object  of  their  veneration  and  love.    Regarding 
the  Church  as  "  the  pillar  and  ground  of  the  truth," 
he  therefore  considered  the  interests  that  were  put 
in  jeopardy  as  more  precious  than  human  learning 
itself.     The    religious    influence    of  almost   every 
college  in  the  country  was  unfriendly  to  our  system, 
while,  at  the  same  time,  there  were  abundant  re- 
sources among  Episcopalians  to  establish  one  of 
their  own,  if  they  could  only  be  aroused  to  a  sense 

20 


/ 


154  MEMOIR  OF  Tin:  LIFK  OF  THE 

of  its  importance.  With  the  view  of  attracting  their 
attention  to  this  subject,  he  drew  up  a  plan  of  an 
humble  institution,  which  might  be  the  beginning  of 
this  good  work,  and  which  he  hoped  might  eventu- 
ally be  placed  on  that  more  extended  scale  which 
would  be  suited  to  their  wealth,  their  numbers,  and 
their  wants. 

Accordingly,  in  the  spring  of  1814,  he  proposed 
to  institute  a  Grammar  School,  to  be  conducted 
under  his  superintendence,  and  in  which  were  to  be 
taufifht  the  various  branches  of  an  English  and 
classical  education.  It  was  to  be  amply  supplied 
with  instructors  and  ushers;  the  pupils  were  to 
board  and  lodge  in  the  institution,  to  attend  regu- 
larly upon  divine  service,  and  to  go  through  such  a 
course  of  religious  instruction  as  should  be  particu- 
larly suited  to  their  capacity  and  years. 

This,  however,  was  only  to  be  made  subservient 
to  the  more  useful  and  important  scheme  which  he 
had  so  long  been  anxious  to  accomplish.  The 
whole  profits  of  the  establishment  were  to  be  appro- 
priated to  the  support  and  endowment  of  a  Theolo- 
gical Seminary.  The  instruction  in  this  seminary 
was  to  be  conducted  according  to  the  canons  of  the 
Church,  and  the  course  of  study  prescribed  by  the 
authority  of  the  same.  It  was  to  be  placed  under 
the  patronage  of  the  General  Convention,  and  under 
the  immediate  care  of  a  board  of  trustees,  who 
were  to  render  an  account  of  the  state  of  the  insti- 
tution to  that  body  at  its  regular  meetings.  The 
Bishops  were  to  be  ex  officio  members  of  the  board  ; 
to  nominate  the  trustees  in  the  first  instance,  con- 
sisting of  an  equal  number  of  the  clergy  and  laity; 


KHiii!'  i;i:v.  JOHN  nr.iMiy  moiuut.  155 

and  the  board  itself  was  to  fill  up  all  vacancies. 
The  Bishop  of  New-York,  and  the  Bishop  of  New- 
Jersey,  were  to  be  superintendents  of  the  school ;  the 
former  in  the  capacity  of  President,  and  the  latter  of 
Vice-President.  The  objects  of  the  establishment 
were  to  train  up  the  young  men  designed  for  holy 
orders  in  the  spirit  of  evangelical  piety  ;  to  establish 
them  in  habits  of  close  thinking  and  accurate  re- 
search ;  to  advance  them  in  theological  attainments, 
and  to  instruct  them  in  the  proper  mode  of  cele- 
brating holy  offices,  in  pulpit  eloquence,  and  in  the 
important  practical  qualifications  which  constitute 
a  faithful,  laborious,  and  zealous  parisii  minister. 
For  this  purpose  there  were  to  be  ample  theological 
instruction  and  recitations,  exercises  in  the  compo- 
sition of  sermons,  and  in  reading  and  speaking,  as 
well  as  devotional  services.  None  were  to  be  ad- 
mitted into  the  institution  until  the  superintendents 
were  satisfied,  from  personal  acquaintance  or  the 
fullest  testimony,  of  their  pious  and  amiable  dispo- 
sitions, the  correctness  of  their  morals,  their  fitness 
for  the  sacred  office,  their  desire  of  entering  into 
the  ministry,  as  the  means  of  advancing  the  glory 
of  God  in  the  salvation  of  man,  and  their  attachment 
to  the  doctrines,  order,  and  worship  of  the  Protest- 
ant Episcopal  Church.  It  was  to  be  the  duty  of  the 
officers,  not  merely  by  exercises  of  devotion,  but  by 
frequent  practical  addresses,  and  by  all  other  means 
in  their  power,  to  cherish  these  dispositions  in  the 
young  men  designed  for  holy  orders,  to  impress  upon 
them  the  origin,  the  duties,  and  the  difficulties,  as 
well  as  the  aids  and  rewards  of  the  Christian  minis- 
try, that  they  might  be  devoted  to  the  sacred  work, 


156  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

and  prepared  to  exert,  with  prudence,  fidelity,  and 
zeal,  all  their  talents  and  attainments  in  the  service 
of  their  divine  Lord  and  Master,  and  of  the  Church 
which  he  purchased  with  his  blood.  Theological 
scholarships  were  to  be  established  for  the  educa- 
tion of  young  men  who  might  be  destitute  of  pecu- 
niary means,  and  the  benefits  extended  to  them 
during  the  term  of  their  classical  as  well  as  of  their 
theological  preparation.  The  sums  contributed 
towards  the  seminary  by  the  pious  beneficence  of 
individuals  or  corporations,  were  to  bo  equally 
divided,  and  one  half  appropriated  to  the  endow- 
ment of  professorships,  the  erection  of  buildings, 
and  the  general  purposes  of  the  institution;  and 
the  other  to  the  endowment  of  scholarships,  bearing 
the  names  of  the  donors. 

It  was  another  part  of  the  plan,  that  the  location 
of  the  Seminary  and  Grammar  School  should  be  in 
such  a  position  as  would  be  most  convenient  to 
Episcopalians  in  general,  as  the  former  was  designed 
for  the  benefit  of  the  Church  at  large,  and  as  the 
latter,  in  case  it  should  become  a  college,  might 
then  attract  students  from  various  parts  of  the 
Union.  But  in  regard  to  both,  he  deemed  it  of  the 
utmost  importance  that  they  should  be  in  a  retired 
situation,  where  there  might  be  but  few  temptations 
to  the  pleasures  of  social  life,  and  none  to  the  dissi- 
pation of  a  city:  for  he  not  only  thought  that  the 
ease  and  social  enjoyments  of  a  city  life,  but  even 
its  literary  pleasures,  and  the  literary  vanity  which 
those  pleasures  tend  to  cherish  in  the  youthful  mind, 
were  apt  to  be  unfavourable  to  those  modest  and 
humble  tempers  which  are  the  ornaments  of  the 


RKJHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  157 

Christian,  and  the  peculiar  graces  of  the  Christian 
minister.  The  self-denying,  devoted,  and  zealous 
spirit  of  the  ministry,  was  to  be  formed  in  retirement, 
by  study,  meditation,  and  prayer. 

With  this  view  he  had,  many  years  before,  as 
has  been  already  noticed,  purchased  a  place  in  a 
beautiful  and  secluded  spot  in  New-Jersey,  on  which 
he  had  proposed  to  locate  these  institutions;  and 
it  had  been  his  determination  partially  to  withdraw 
from  the  city,  and  to  devote  to  them  his  principal 
attention  and  labours.  But  though  the  change  in 
his  situation  had  made  that  scheme  impracticable, 
yet  he  did  not  think  that  a  general  and  faithful 
superintendence  of  them,  and  an  occasional  parti- 
cipation in  their  instruction  and  discipline,  would 
be  incompatible  with  his  other  duties. 

In  these  outlines  of  a  plan  for  educating  our  youth 
in  such  a  way  as  to  combine  literary  improvement 
with  religious  culture,  agreeably  to  our  own  views 
of  rational  worship  and  primitive  truth,  we  perceive 
with  what  fond  solicitude  he  always  dwelt  upon 
every  subject  connected  with  the  extension  and 
prosperity  of  the  Church.  The  Theological  Semi- 
nary, from  the  immediate  and  urgent  call  for  well- 
trained  ministers  in  every  part  of  our  country,  had 
engaged  more  of  his  thoughts  and  attention,  and 
accordingly,  in  the  brief  sketch  which  he  exhibited 
to  the  public,  we  find  almost  all  of  those  general 
provisions  for  such  an  institution,  which  might  have 
been  expected  from  mature  and  anxious  reflection, 
and  to  which  little  has  been  added  by  experience. 

Notwithstanding  the  multiplicity  and  the  import- 
ance of  his  engagements,  yet,  for  the  promotion  of 


358  .  MEl^!oll^  of  the  life  of  the 

those  useful  ends,  he  was  willing  to  give  a  portion 
of  his  invaluable  time,  and  to  increase  the  weight 
of  his  oppressive  labours,  without  any  view  to 
emolument  and  reward.  The  period,  however,  in 
which  ihese  proposals  were  made,  during  the  diffi- 
culties and  embarrassments  of  the  late  war  with 
England,  was  still  found  to  be  unpropitious  ;  and 
the  only  effect  of  this  scheme  was  to  excite  in  Epis- 
copalians a  sense  of  their  duty  and  their  interests, 
and  to  prepare  the  way  for  another,  which  has  since 
been  so  liappily  accomplished. 

The  notice  which  he  had  taken  of  this  subject 
the  year  before  in  the  State  Convention,  and  the 
proposal  of  a  specific  plan  for  the  establishment 
and  regulation  of  the  seminary,  had  now  awakened 
such  an  interest  in  the  minds  of  Churchmen,  as  to 
create  a  great  anxiety  for  the  adoption  of  the  mea- 
sure. The  matter  was  immediately  after  bpought 
up  in  the  General  Convention,  and  after  some  dis- 
cussion, it  was  resolved  "  that  it  should  be  referred 
to  the  Bishops— and  in  those  dioceses  where  there 
were  no  Bishops,  to  the  Standing  Committees  there- 
in— to  inquire  in  the  respective  dioceses  or  states, 
and  to  consider  for  themselves,  concerning  the  ex- 
pediency of  establishing  a  Theological  Seminary, 
to  be  conducted  under  the  general  authority  of  the 
Church."  These  steps  were  thought  to  be  prema- 
ture by  Bishop  Hobart  and  the  delegation  from 
New-York,  for  the  reasons  which  he  gave  in  his 
address  to  the  Convention  of  his  own  diocese  in 
the  following  fall. 

"  The  opposition  from  the  deputation  of  the 
Church  in    New-York  to   the   establishment  of  a 


IlIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAUT.  159 

General  Theological  Seminary,  by  an  act  of  that 
body,  did  not  arise  from  disaffection  to  a  measure 
of  vital  importance  to  the  Church,  but  from  an 
opinion  that  the  same  object  could  be  accomplished, 
on  the  most  correct  and  enlarged  principles  and 
views,  by  private  concert  and  co-operation  among 
the  influential  friends  of  the  Church  in  various  parts 
of  the  Union,  without  encountering  many  difiiculiies, 
to  which  the  measure  would  be  liable,  if  taken  up, 
under  present  circumstances,  by  the  General  Con- 
vention." 

In  his  annual  addresses  to  the  Convention,  the 
Bishop  did  not  confine  himself  to  a  mere  detail  of 
his  Episcopal  acts,  and  a  description  of  the  state 
of  the  diocese,  but  touched  upon  any  points  which 
he  deemed  material — suggesting  projects  for  the 
extension  of  the  Church — encouraging  the  pious 
and  sober  attempts  of  others — discountenancing  all 
doubtful  schemes — restraining  every  tendency  to 
irregularity  and  enthusiasm — animating  the  zeal  of 
the  correct  and  diligent  by  his  notice  of  their 
labours — giving  gentle  admonitions  to  the  remiss — 
and  endeavouring  to  promote  unity  of  principle  and 
practice  throughout  his  charge.  It  was  his  opinion, 
that  the  most  fervent  and  elevated  devotion  could 
have  ample  scope  within  those  limits  which  the 
Church  had  prescribed,  and  that  there  was  no 
ground  for  separating  evangelical  piety  from  primi- 
tive order  and  truth;  yet  as  he  laid  great  stress 
upon  matters  of  external  order,  in  some  cases,  on 
account  of  their  decency,  propriety,  and  utility ; 
and  in  others,  because  he  deemed  them  of  apostolic 
and  divine  authority,  and  therefore  did  not  dare  to 


160  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THfi 

"put  asunder  what  God  had  joined  together;"  he  was 
often  misunderstood  by  those  without,  and  some- 
times most  uncharitably  misrepresented  and  reviled 
by  those  within.  There  were  a  few  who  differed 
from  him  widely  in  many  respects,  but  who  still 
had  discernment  enough  to  take  a  just  view  of  his 
opinions,  and  candour  enough  to  acknowledge  the 
evangelical  character  of  his  preaching,  and  to  be- 
lieve in  his  deep  and  unaffected  piety ;  but  how 
many  regarded  him  with  blind  and  incurable  pre- 
judice, as  one  having  merely  "  the  form  without  the 
power  of  godliness!" 

And  yet  he  was  so  careful  in  explaining  his  views, 
as  to  leave  no  room  for  misconception  and  error. 
No  one  could  mistake  his  opinions  on  the  points 
which  we  have  just  noticed,  that  would  dispassion- 
ately read  these  passages  from  his  address  to  the 
Convention  in  1814. 

"  My  Clerical  and  Lay  Brethren,  I  should  enjoy 
little  satisfaction  in  congratulating  you  on  the  in- 
creasing attachment  to  the  Christian  principles  of 
our  Church,  and  veneration  for  her  institutions,  if  I 
could  not  also  congratulate  you  on  the  increase  of 
that  evangelical  piety  which  these  principles  and 
institutions,  when  faithfully  observed  and  practised, 
are  calculated  to  produce.  He,  indeed,  must  enter- 
tain very  inferior  and  erroneous  notions  of  the 
nature  and  design  of  the  ordinances  of  the  Church, 
and  of  the  high  objects  of  the  ministerial  calling, 
who  does  not  extend  their  influence  to  the  excite- 
ment and  preservation  of  the  power  of  godliness,  of 
that  vital  and  productive  faith  which,  through  the 
agency  of  the  Divine  Spirit  renewing  the  soul  and 


RKJHT  llliV-   JOHN  HENRY  HODAUT.  161 

confonning  the  life  to  the  holy  standard  of  Christian 
morals,  can  alone  authorize  the  elevated  hope,  that 
we  are  the  subjects  of  God's  favour,  and  in  a  state 
of  preparation  for  his  kingdom  of  glory. 

**  Tliat  your  ministrations,  my  Clerical  Brethren, 
may  produce  these  exalted  effects  in  the  present, 
holiness  and  eternal  salvation  of  the  people  com- 
mitted to  your  charge,  is,  I  am  confident,  the  subject 
of  your  earnest  solicitude  and  constant  prayers.  To 
endeavour  to  produce  these  effects  by  any  other 
means  than  those  which  our  Church  authorizes,  and 
which  the  piety  and  wisdom  of  ages  have  sanctioned, 
would  be  a  departure  from  the  most  solemn  obliga- 
tions of  duty,  and  would  not  ultimately  produce  that 
fervent,  and,  at  the  same  time,  that  humble,  that 
unassuming,  that  consistent,  that  permanent  piety, 
equally  remote  from  the  extremes  of  lukewarmness 
and  enthusiasm,  which  alone  the  real  friend  to  our 
Church,  and  the  substantial  interests  of  religion, 
would  wish  to  see  prevail. 

"  It  is  cause  both  of  gratitude  and  of  boast,  that 
what  arc  considered  by  some  the  dull  round  of 
Church  observances,  in  the  hands  of  a  faithful 
minister,  prove,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  effectual 
in  converting  sinners,  and  in  establishing  believers 
in  tiie  holy  faith  of  the  Gospel. 

"  Such  means  of  grace,  and  such  only  do  I  exhort 
you  to  employ;  and  these  means,  my  Brethren  of 
the  Laity,  it  is  my  duty  to  impress  upon  you ,  if  they 
do  not  prove  to  you  '  the  savour  of  life,'  will  cer- 
tainly prove  to  you,  in  the  strong  language  of  an 
inspired  apostle,  *  the  savour  of  death.'  May  we 
all  then,  in  our  respective  stations,   so  adorn  the 

21 


162  MEMOin  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour  in  all  things,  that  we 
may  bring  honour  to  his  name  and  his  holy  Church, 
and  finally  save  our  own  souls." 

In  1815  the  Bishop  published  a  Pastoral  Letter 
to  the  Laity  of  the  Church  in  his  Diocese,  on  the 
subject  of  Bible  and  Common  Prayer  Book  Socie- 
ties. Here  he  took  the  unpopular  ground,  that  our 
institutions  for  religious  purposes  should  be  con- 
ducted in  our  own  way,  and  on  our  own  principles, 
without  any  union  or  amalgamation  with  those  of 
other  bodies  of  Christians.  The  great  indifference 
to  the  distinctive  principles  of  the  Church,  even 
among  many  of  our  own  people,  from  an  ignorance 
of  their  nature  and  importance;  the  false  notions 
of  liberality  prevailing  among  tiiose  who  were  better 
informed,  and  the  general  disapprobation  at  that 
time,  among  other  denominations,  of  a  policy  which 
was  regarded  as  narrow,  selfish,  and  almost  intole- 
rant, would  have  made  such  an  appeal  to  the  clergy 
themselves,  a  bold  and  startling  measure.  But, 
confident  that  he  was  right,  and  sure  of  their  general 
support  when  the  matter  should  be  duly  weighed, 
he  determined  to  address  himself  at  once  to  his 
people  at  large,  to  whom  it  was  still  more  new  and 
strange.  He  always  had  a  strong  reliance  on  the 
good  sense  of  the  community,  and  was  persuaded 
that  the  just  and  reasonable  cause,  when  properly 
supported,  would  prevail  over  prejudice  and  error. 
In  the  present  instance  he  was  not  deceived.  The 
laity,  engrossed  in  a  great  measure  with  other 
pursuits,  are  but  little  accustomed  to  think  on  those 
disputed  points  of  principle  and  policy  which  divide 
divines;  but  if  they  can  only  be  induced  to  give 


i;i(;nT  hex.  John  henuy  hucaut.  163 

them  a  careful  and  serious  examination,  they  are 
not  only  apt  to  come  to  just  and  sound  conclusions, 
but  to  be  zealous,  uniform,  and  consistent  in  their 
support  and  defence.  Their  opinions  are  adopted 
for  themselves  on  their  own  merits,  without  regard 
to  what  may  be  thought  of  them  by  others.  Their 
reputation,  their  interests,  and  comfort,  are  in  no 
way  affected  by  the  particular  cast  of  their  religious 
views,  and  therefore  they  can  entertain  them  in 
quietness  and  peace.  But  it  is  not  always  so  with 
the  clergy:  the  prevailing  tone  of  public  sentiment 
where  they  may  happen  to  be  placed  ;  the  pride  of 
maintaining  consistency  in  their  course,  even  though 
it  may  have  been  commenced  in  ignorance  and 
error  ;  the  fear  of  censure  in  the  uncompromising 
defence  of  the  truth  ;  and,  above  all,  the  love  of 
popular  praise — often  exert  a  strong  but  insensible 
influence  over  their  minds,  and  give  them  such  a 
wrong  bias  as  no  force  of  reasoning  can  correct. 
This  is  no  impeachment  of  their  honesty  and  sin- 
cerity; it  is  the  almost  unavoidable  operation  of 
circumstajices  on  the  infirmity  of  human  nature. 
The  laily  have  their  own  temptations,  but  they  are 
not  exposed  in  the  same  degree  to  these ;  and  hence, 
as  a  body,  they  are  more  free  and  unembarrassed 
both  in  the  adoption  and  in  the  maintenance  of  their 
religious  principles.       .^  •.      ,  , . 

The  Bishop,  therefore,  though  he  had  entire  con- 
fidence in  the  sound  and  correct  views  of  almost 
all  his  clergy,  thought  it  of  the  utmost  importance, 
also,  that  the  laity  should  be  led  to  attend  to  this 
subject,  well  knowing  that,  if  they  thought  justly, 
they  would  act  boldly  and  independently.     Their 


164  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

co~operation  would  strengthen  his  own  hands,  em- 
bohlen  the  timid  and  wavering  among  the  clergy, 
and  give  union,  force,  and  effect  to  all  their  efforts. 

After  noticing  the  particular  circumstance  which 
induced  him  to  write  this  Pastoral  Letter;  the  un- 
paralleled exertions  which  were  making  for  the 
distribution  of  the  word  of  God;  the  precious  cha- 
racter and  blessed  effects  of  this  word,  both  in 
regard  to  the  life  which  now  is,  and  the  life  which 
is  to  come  ;  he  then  remarks,  "  that  the  members  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  who  constituted 
the  Bible  and  Common  Prayer  Book  Society,  were 
deeply  impressed  with  the  duty  which  seemed  to 
call  forth  all  the  energies  of  the  Christian  world,  of 
diffusing  the  knowledge  of  God's  revealed  will  by 
the  gratuitous  distribution  of  the  sacred  volume 
which  contains  it.  They  were,  however,  naturally 
led,  at  the  same  time,  to  consider  that  the  Book  of 
Common  Prayer  contains  the  purest  exhibition  of 
that  evangelical  truth  which  the  Bible  reveals,  and 
therefore  resolved,  in  conjunction  with  that  sacred 
volume,  to  devote  their  exertions  to  the  distribution 
of  this  invaluable  summary  of  divine  truth  and  for- 
mulary of  devotion." 

He  then  sets  forth  the  various  reasons  which 
justify  this  union. 

"  The  first  consideration  which  enforces  the  pro- 
priety of  the  measure,  is,  that  among  Episcopalians 
there  is  a  greater  want  of  the  Book  of  Common 
Prayer  than  of  the  Bible.  Few  families  belonging 
to  the  Church  are  destitute  of  a  Bible  :  one  of  these 
may  answer  for  a  family,  while  several  Common 
Prayer  Books  are  necessary,  in  order  to  enable  all 


KIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENIIY  HOBAUT.  165 

its  members  to  unite  in  public  worship.  Many  too 
are  desirous  of  becoming  acquainted  with  the  prin- 
ciples and  worship  of  the  Church,  and  perhaps 
disposed  to  attach  themselves  to  it,  who  are  yet 
unwilling  or  unable  to  purchase  a  Prayer  Book. 
These  remarks  are  particularly  applicable  to  con- 
gregations recently  formed,  and  to  new  settlements. 
"  The  joint  distribution  of  the  Bible  and  this 
book  appears  proper,  because  the  connexion  is  a 
natural  and  judicious  one. 

"  Both  these  volumes  exhibit  divine  truth — the 
one,  as  the  original  code,  which  contains  the  various 
commands  of  the  Most  High,  and  which  alone,  as 
the  law  and  the  testimony,  speaks  with  supreme 
authority ;  the  other,  as  the  invaluable  digest,  in 
which  the  truths  and  precepts  of  the  sacred  volume 
are  arranged  in  lucid  order,  set  forth  with  sim- 
plicity, embellished  with  the  graces  of  diction,  and 
animated  by  the  purest  fervours  of  devotion. 

"  In  distributing  the  Prayer  Book,  we  circulate, 
in  a  conspicuous  and  interesting  manner,  large 
portions,  and  those  the  most  important,  of  the 
sacred  word. 

"  We  present  the  Bible  at  large ;  and  with  the 
Bible,  in  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  an  abstract 
of  it,  comprising,  in  the  words  of  inspiration,  a  suc- 
cinct but  complete  summary  of  the  plan  of  redemp- 
tion ;  of  the  character,  the  history,  and  the  offices 
of  its  Divine  Author ;  of  its  principles,  its  duties, 
and  its  hopes.  Many  of  these  the  Psalter  displays 
in  the  affecting  strains  of  penitence,  supplication, 
and  praise.  They  are  all  fully  exhibited  in  the 
Epistles    and  Gospels   contained  in    the   Book  of 


106  .      MEiMOIK  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

Common  Prayer.  Many  important  passages  of 
Scripture,"  also  "  establishing  faith,  or  enforcing 
obedience,  are  scattered  through  the  various  offices 
in  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer. 

"  The  evangelical  truths  of  Scripture  are  set  forth 
in  this  book  with  clearness,  fidelity,  and  force ; 
those  truths,  which  are  considered  fundamental — 
the  corruption  and  guilt  of  man — the  divinity,  the 
atonement,  and  the  intercession  of  Jesus  Christ — 
and  salvation  through  a  lively  faith  in  him,  and 
through  the  sanctifying  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
To  quote  all  the  passages  which  set  forth  these 
doctrines,  would  be  to  transcribe  the  liturgy.  They 
constitute  the  spirit  that  gives  life  to  every  page, 
that  glows  in  every  expression  of  this  inimitable 
volume  ;  they  are  set  forth,  not  in  a  form  addressed 
merely  to  the  understanding,  but  in  that  fervent 
language  of  devotion  which  reaches  the  heart. 
What  greater  service,  then,  can  we  render  to  a 
benighted  world,  than  to  circulate,  in  conjunction 
with  the  Bible,  this  admirable  summary  of  its 
renovating  truths  1 

"  Against  a  measure  justified  and  enforced  by  so 
many  irresistible  considerations,  the  objection  can- 
not be  admitted,  that  it  would  prevent  Episcopalians 
from  associating  with  other  denominations  of  Chris- 
tians in  Bible  Societies. 

"  But  what  are  the  objects  of  Bible  Societies'? 
The  general  object,  the  diff*usion  of  religious  truth 
— the  particular  object,  the  distribution  of  the  Bible. 
In  Bible  and  Common  Prayer  Book  Societies,  Epis- 
copalians make  provision  for  the  distribution  of  the 
Bible,  and  thus  discharge  this  part  of  their  duty ;  and 


liKJHT  UEV.  JOHN  HENIiV  HO  BART.  1G7 

by  providing  also  for  the  distribution  of  the  Prayer 
Book,  they  fulfil  the  general  duty  of  diffusing  reli- 
gious truth  more  effectually  than  by  the  circulation 
of  the  Bible  alone.  What  particular  reason,  then, 
can  be  urged  for  their  relinquishing  the  most  effec- 
tual mode  of  diffusing  religious  truth,  in  order  to 
unite  in  Bible  Societies  with  other  denominations 
of  Christians'!  Is  this  measure  necessary  to  enablo 
these  denominations  to  accomplish  their  pious  and 
benevolent  designs'!  By  no  means.  Numbers,  in- 
dividual wealth,  and  a  liberality  worthy  of  praise 
and  of  imitation,  render  our  aid  unnecessary.  Is 
the  union  of  Episcopalians  in  Bible  Societies  with 
other  denominations  desirable  and  proper,  because 
the  only  differences  between  them  and  us  are  on 
subordinate  and  non-essential  points  \  Let  me  en- 
treat your  candour,  my  Brethren,  while  I  point  out 
the  fallacy  and  danger  which  lurk  under  this  speci- 
ous profession  of  liberality. 

"There  are  differences  among  Christians ;  and 
differences  there  will  be,  until  it  shall  please  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church  to  lead  all  his  people  to 
*  glorify  him  with  one  heart  and  one  mouth.'  That 
all  the  differences  among  Christians  are  on  points 
subo7'dinate  and  non-essential,  is  an  unfounded  as- 
sertion. It  is  not  demanded  by  Christian  charity, 
for  this  very  reason,  because  it  is  unfounded.  Chris- 
tian charity  can  never  demand  the  sacrifice  of  truth. 
It  can  never  be  inconsistent  with  Christian  charity 
to  obey  inspired  injunctions;  and  to  'hold  fast  the 
form  of  sound  words,'  *  to  contend  earnestly  for 
the  ffUth  once  delivered  to  the  saints,'  to  keep  the 
'  unity  of  the  spirit,'  and  to  abide  in  the  *  fellowship 


168  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

of  the  apostles,'  by  submitting  to  that  ministry  which, 
in  pursuance  of  the  power  committed  to  them  by 
their  divine  Master,  they  constituted  in  the  Church. 
What  that  form  of  sound  words,  that  faith,  that 
fellowship  are.  Christian  communities  must  deter- 
mine for  themselves.  But  this  determination  being 
made,  each  member  of  that  community  is  bound,  as 
well  by  the  principles  of  social  order  as  by  the  sa- 
cred claims  of  truth,  not  merely  to  act  in  conformity 
to  this  determination,  but  to  justify  and  advocate  it, 
until  he  is  convinced,  after  full  and  honest  inquiry, 
that  it  is  erroneous. 

"  Christian  charity  is  violated,  not  by  contending 
for  what  each  individual  deems  the  truth,  but  by 
conducting  the  contest  under  the  influence  of  an 
improper  spirit.  In  this  alone  consists  that  bigotry 
with  which  the  advocate  of  controverted  opinions  is 
generally  branded,  however  mild  and  catholic  his 
spirit,  and  decorous  and  liberal  his  manner. 

"  To  apply  these  remarks  to  the  case  of  Episco- 
palians. They  are  distinguished  from  other  deno- 
minations of  Christians,  among  other  things,  by 
three  orders  in  the  ministry.  Bishops,  Priests,  and 
Deacons,  which,  they  declare,  have  been  since  the 
apostles'  times  ;  and  by  a  liturgy,  or  form  of  prayer, 
which,  they  think,  as  a  form,  is  sanctioned  by  apos- 
tolic and  primitive  usage  ;  and,  as  to  its  materials, 
is  in  great  part  of  primitive  origin,  and  of  unequalled 
excellence.  Is  it  not  due  to  these  principles — is  it 
not  a  dictate  of  prudence,  to  decline  associations 
which  may  insensibly  weaken  his  attachment  to 
these  principles,  and  in  which  he  may  be  compelled 
either  to  act  inconsistently  with  them,  or  to  engage 


IllGliT   11L;V.  JOHN  IIF.NliY  IIOBART.  169 

in  unpleasant  collisions  with  those  who  think  dif- 
ferently from  himself!  It  is  certainly  correct,  as  a 
general  remark,  that  Christian  truth  and  Christian 
harmony  are  best  preserved  when  Christians  of 
different  relii?ious  communions  endeavour  to  ad- 
vance  the  interests  of  religion  in  their  own  way. 

"  Considering  too  the  general  division  between 
those  who  receive  Episcopacy  and  those  who  are 
opposed  to  it,  between  those  who  adopt  a  liturgy 
and  those  who  reject  one,  it  is  not  difficult  to  deter- 
mine with  whom,  in  any  association,  would  be  the 
strensfth  and  advantage  of  numbers.  In  all  associa- 
lions  of  bodies  of  men  professing  different  principles, 
the  most  numerous  will  silently,  gradually,  but  effec- 
tually, bear  sway;  and  the  minority  will  glide  in- 
sensibly into  the  larger  mass,  unless  they  are 
constantly  on  their  guard  ;  and  then  their  safety  can 
be  secured  only  by  a  tenaciousness  which  may 
incur  the  stigma  of  bigotry,  and  interrupt  unity  and 
harmony.  A  profession  of  liberality  pervades  all 
such  associations,  which  would  render  it  unfashion- 
able, unpleasant,  and  unkind  for  the  Episcopalian  to 
doubt  the  equal  excellence  of  Presbytery  and  Epis- 
copacy, of  extempore  worship  and  a  liturgy. 

"  When  Episcopalians  are  brought  into  this  state 
of  liberal  indifference,  if  they  are  not  prepared  to 
renounce  their  principles,  they  are  at  least  deterred 
from  laying  peculiar  stress  upon  them,  and  from 
advocating  and  enforcing  them.  The  power  of 
habit  is  wonderful,  and  the  progress  is  not  difficult 
or  uncommon  from  indifference  to  neglect,  and 
even  to  dislike. 

"  Fidelity  to  our  principles,  and  an  earnest  desire 
#  22       ' 


I  /^  IMEMOIU  OF  THE  UFA  OF  THE 

to  preserve  Christian  harmony,  seem  to  justify  us 
in  the  separate  management  of  our  religious  con- 
cerns. But  the  important  points  of  difference 
among  Christians  should  never  interrupt  the  har- 
mony of  social  and  domestic  intercourse,  nor  check 
the  exercise  of  Christian  benevolence." 

The  reasons  alleged  in  the  Pastoral  Letter  for 
the  distribution  of  the  Prayer  Book  with  the  Bible 
by  Episcopalians,  appear  to  be  so  just  and  forcible, 
that,  did  we  not  know  the  contrary,  v.'e  should 
suppose  that  they  would  be  regarded  as  conclusive 
by  every  sober  and  reflecting  mind.  The  dangers 
apprehended  from  an  association  with  other  deno- 
minations for  religious  purposes,  might  be  consi- 
dered by  some  as  problematical  and  extravagant, 
and  therefore,  in  regard  to  them,  there  might  natu- 
rally be  expected  greater  diversity  of  opinion.  But 
the  Bishop  was  opposed  on  both  grounds  by  an 
Episcopalian,  in  an  anonymous  reply  to  his  Pastoral 
Letter.  The  writer,  however,  by  the  extravagance 
of  his  positions,  proved  himself  to  be  an  injudicious 
advocate  of  the  cause  which  he  espoused.  Besides 
maintaining  the  very  common  sentiment  that  it  was 
the  interest  and  duty  of  Episcopalians  to  unite  with 
their  fellow  Christians  in  spreading  the  knowledge 
of  the  word  of  God,  he  also  endeavoured  to  show 
that  "  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  ought  not  to 
accompany  the  Bible  in  its  universal  distribution," 
and  '*  that  Prayer  Book  Societies  should  appro- 
priate no  part  of  their  funds  to  the  purchase  of 
Bibles." 

Bishop  Ilobart  shows,  in  the  clearest  and  most 
convincing  manner,  that  there  are  no  circumstances 


UIGIIT  REV.  JOHN  MENIIY  HOBART.  171 

in  which  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  may  not  be 
advantageously    distributed    with    the    Bible.      In 
regard  to  those  who  do  not  belong  to  our  commu- 
nion, but  are  favourably  disposed  towards  it,  this  is 
the  readiest  way  to  cherish  and  strengthen   their 
attachment  to  it,  and  to  convince  them  of  the  ex- 
cellence of  the  doctrines  and  worship  of  the  Church. 
In  reo-ard  to  those  who  object  to  our  form  of  go- 
vernntent,  and  disapprove  of  our  sacraments  and 
rites,    this    would    be    one    of  the    most    effectual 
methods  of  Hiving  them  correct  views  of  our  prin- 
ciples,  disabusing   them   of  their   prejudices,   and 
subduing  their  opposition.   In  regard  to  the  Heathen, 
this  would  be  the  best  key  to  the  proper  understand- 
ing of  the  Scriptures;  improving  and  confirming  the 
knowledge  which  the  Bible  gives  of  their  Saviour, 
and  at  the  same  time  furnishing  them  with  the  most 
affecting  invocations  to  implore  the  mercy  of  that 
Saviour  on  their  perishing  souls.     -  One  invaluable 
characteristic  of  our  liturgy,  is  its  admirable  fitness, 
not   only   for   worship,   but  instruction.     It  is   not 
only  a  guide  to  devotion,  but  a  formulary  of  faith ; 
a  correct  exhibition  of  evangelical  doctrine,  in  lan- 
guage gratifying  to  the  taste  of  the  most  refined, 
and^level  to  the  capacities  of  the  most  humble;  en- 
lightening the  understanding  and  swaying  the  aff-ec- 
lions  of  the  heart.     Can  a  book,  unrivalled  in  its 
simple,  correct,  and  forcible  display  of  the  truths 
contained  in  the  Bible,  be  an   unfit  companion  to 
this  sacred  volume  t     The  Prayer  Book  is  the  best 
religious  tract  that  can  accompany  the  Bible." 

If  every  consideration,  drawn  from  the  character 
and  relations  of  the  two  l)ooks,  enforces  their  joint 


172  MEMOIR  OF  THE   LIFE  OF  THE 

distribution,  then  the  second  position  of  the  author 
of  the  reply,  "  that  Prayer  Book  Societies  should 
appropriate  no  part  of  their  funds  to  the  purchase 
of  Bibles,"  is  as  extraordinary  as  the  first;  for  this 
would  be  debarring"  Episcopalians,  as  a  separate 
religious  community,  from  all  efforts  for  the  distri- 
bution of  the  sacred  volume.  ■ 

Bishop  Hobart  then  attempts  to  show  the  fallacy 
of  the  last  position  in  the  .reply,  that  it  is  "  the 
interest  and  duty  of  Episcopalians  to  unite  with 
their  fellow  Christians  in  spreading  the  knowledge 
of  the  word  of  God ;"  and  contends,  that  an  union 
of  all  denominations  for  the  purpose  of  circulating 
the  Scriptures,  will  not  more  eftectually  advance 
the  object  than  a  generous  emulation  among  them 
to  out  do  each  other  in  this  labour  of  love. 

The  Pastoral  Letter  details  the  reasons  which 
justify  Episcopalians  in  the  separate  management 
of  their  religious  concerns  ;  and  the  principal  one 
against  their  union  with  other  societies,  was  "  the 
apprehension  that  such  indiscriminate  associations 
would  tend  to  bring  Episcopalians  into  that  state 
of  liberal  indifference  in  which,  if  they  are  not  pre- 
pared to  renounce  their  principles,  they  are  at  least 
deterred  from  laying  peculiar  stress  upon  them, 
and  from  advocating  and  enforcing  them."  The 
author  of  the  reply,  in  order  to  justify  his  own 
arguments,  and  to  justify  his  view  of  the  subject, 
quotes  with  approbation  the  warm  commendations 
which  Dr.  Bathurst,  Bishop  of  Norwich,  bestows 
on  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society — *'  Here, 
Brethren,  learn  to  dwell  together  in  unity.  We  do 
not  ask,  Are  you  a  Cliurchman  or  a  Dissenter,  but 


IlIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENUY  HOBART.  173 

do  you  love  vital  Christianity  1  Do  you  prefer  that 
the  word  of  God  should  be  circulated  without  note 
or  comment,  rather  than  the  increase  of  your  own 
particular  party  1  If  this  be  the  case,  we  hail  you 
as  a  brother  and  a  friend  in  the  Lord."  "  Is  not 
this  a  case  in  point  fully  establishing"  Bishop  Ho- 
bart's  "  reasoning?  Is  not  this  the  profession  of 
liberality,  which  deems  it  unfashionable,  unpleasant, 
and  unkind,  for  the  Episcopalian  to  doubt  the  equal 
excellence  of  Presbytery  and  Episcopacy;  of  ex- 
tempore worship  and  a  liturgy?  Is  not  this  the 
liberal  indifference,  not  advancing  by  slow  progress, 
but  at  once  plunging  into  that  renunciation  of  prin- 
ciple which"  Bishop  Hobart  "  deprecated  ?  Orders 
of  the  ministry  which  the  Church  maintains  God 
established  ;  and  a  liturgy  sanctioned  by  Scripture, 
antiquity,  and  reason,  are  thus  placed  in  opposition 
to  vital  Christianity.  Nay;  for  the  Churchman  to 
desire  the  increase  of  the  Church,  is  branded  with 
the  stigma  of  designing  only  the  increase  of  a  par- 
ticular party." 

"  Christian  liberality  extends  its  charity,  not  to 
opinions,  but  to  men;  judging  candidly  of  their 
motives,  their  character,  and  conduct.  Tenacious 
of  what  it  deems  the  truth,  it  earnestly  endeavours, 
in  the  spirit  of  Christian  kindness,  to  reclaim  others 
from  error.  But  iliere  is  a  spurious  liberality,  whose 
tendency  is  to  confound  entirely  the  boundaries 
between  truth  and  error.  It  acts  under  the  influence 
of  the  maxim,  not  the  less  pernicious,  because  it 
allures  in  the  flowing  harmony  of  numbers. 

"  For  modes  of  faith  let  graceless  zealots  fight, 
He  can't  be  wrong  whose  life  is  in  the  right." 


174  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

^'  Christian  unity  is  a  fundamental  principle  of  the 
Gospel,  and  schism  a  deadly  sin.     But  Christian 
unity   is   to   be    obtained   not    by   a  dishonourable 
concealment   or  abandonment  of  principle,  where 
there  is  no  real  change  of  opinion,   nor  even  by  an 
union  in  doctrine,  could  such  an  union  be  sincerely 
effected,  of  religious  sects  who  continue  to  ditJer  in 
regard  to  the  ministry  of  the  Church.     The  Epis- 
copalian believes,  in  the  language  of  the  Church, 
*  that  Bishops,  Priests,  and  Deacons,  have  been  from 
the  apostles'  times ;   that  God,  by  his  providence 
and  Holy  Spirit,  appointed  these  orders.'    He  knows 
no  Christian  unity  but  in  submission   to  this  minis- 
try.    Judging  the  heart,  and  still  less  determining 
the  final  destiny  of  no  individual,  he  deems  it  his 
duty   to    avoid   and   to    discountenance    separation 
from  this  ministry,   which  he  considers   the  sin  of 
schism  ;   that  sin  from  which,  in  the  litany  of  the 
Church,  he   prays  to  be  delivered.     He   declines, 
with  mildness  and  prudence,  but  with  decision  and 
firmness,   all   proffered  compromises  and   associa- 
tions which  do  not  recognise  these  orders  of  the 
ministry,  and  which  may  tend  to  weaken  his  attach- 
ment to  the  distinctive  principles  of  his  own  Church. 
He  respects  the  consciences  of  others.     He  guards 
their  rights,  but  he  \m'\\\  not  sacrifice  or  endanger 
his    own.     He    defends    and    enforces    those    true 
principles  of  Christian  unity  which  characterize  his 
Church.     He  does  his  duty,   and  leaves  the  rest  to 
God — in  the  prayer  and  in  thebelief  that  the  gracious 
Head  of  the  Church  will,  in  his  own  good  time, 
overcome  the  errors,  the  prejudices,  and  the  pas- 
sions  of  men,    to  the    advancement  of  Christian 


lilGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAIIT.  175 

fellowship  and  jDeace  ;  so  that  at  length  '  the  whole 
of  his  dispersed  sheep  shall  be  gathered  into  one 
fold,  under  one  Shepherd,  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.'  " 
Shortly  after  the  publication  of  his  Pastoral 
Letter,  and  his  notice  of  the  reply  which  was  made 
to  it,  the  American  Bible  Society  was  established. 
Notwithstanding  the  imposing  array  of  overwhelm- 
ing numbers,  of  rank,  talent,  and  influence,  which 
that  society  presented,  he  was  neither  intimidated 
nor  silenced.  The  principles  which  he  had  before 
advocated,  were  now  rendered  still  more  unpopular 
by  this  general  union  in  opposition  to  them.  It  not 
only  had  the  cordial  support  of  all  the  other  reli- 
gious denominations,  but  of  some  of  the  respectable 
clergymen  and  influential  laymen  of  our  own  com- 
munion. But  as  the  love  of  what  he  deemed  the 
truth  had  always  prevailed  over  his  regard  for 
popular  favour,  he  was  only  roused  to  a  more 
vigorous  defence  of  it,  by  the  danger  to  which  it 
was  exposed.  No  man  ever  acted  on  higher  and 
nobler  principles.  This  was  a  question  connected 
not  only  with  his  opinions,  but  his  oflicial  duty,  and 
therefore  all  personal  considerations  were  disre- 
garded. He  knew  that  among  those  who  were 
opposed  to  our  Church,  he  would  subject  himself  to 
odium,  misrepresentation,  and  reproach.  He  knew 
that  the  expediency  and  policy  of  his  conduct  would 
be  doubted  by  many  of  her  friends.  But  none  of 
these  things  disturbed  him ;  for  though  he  was 
covetous  of  approbation  and  praise  on  true  grounds, 
yet,  in  defending  a  good  cause,  he  was  wholly  indif- 
ferent to  censure.  On  this  subject  he  had  thought 
most  anxiously,  he  had  come  to  the  most  fixed  con- 


J  76  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

elusions,  and  he  had  nerve  enough  not  to  shrink 
from  the  convictions  of  duty,  but  to  press  them  with 
boldness  and  zeal  upon  the  minds  and  consciences 
of  others. 

Shortly  after  the  appearance  of  his  Pastoral 
Letter,  therefore,  he  published  an  address  to  Epis- 
copalians, on  the  subject  of  the  American  Bible 
Society.  It  was  an  earnest  dissuasive  against  their 
uniting  with  this  institution.  Already  there  were 
Bible  Societies  in  every  part  of  the  United  States, 
and  others  were  constantly  organizing.  These  in- 
stitutions were  adequate  to  all  the  purposes  for 
which  they  were  wanted.  A  National  Bible  Society, 
which  was,  in  fact,  to  represent  every  part  of  this 
country,  was  perfectly  visionary.  In  its  spirit  and 
management  it  would  be  the  Bible  Society  of  the 
particular  city  or  district  where  it  was  established. 
This  was  proved  by  the  circumstance,  that  the 
persons  named  as  the  managers  of  the  "American 
Bible  Society,"  with  two  or  three  exceptions,  resided 
in  the  city  of  New- York,  or  its  vicinity. 

If  this  were  so,  what  necessity  could  there  be  for 
another  in  this  city]  Already  there  were  four  here, 
besides  others  in  almost  every  county  of  the  state. 
No  object  was  to  be  accomplished  for  our  own 
purposes,  to  which  these  institutions  separately 
were  inadequate. 

There  was  not  a  perfect  accordance  of  opinion 
even  among  the  Bible  Societies  and  their  friends, 
as  to  the  necessity  of  this  national  institution. 

The  Bible  Society  in  Philadelphia,  which  ranked 
decidedly  amongst  the  first  in  the  United  States, 
was  opposed  to  it.    They  must  have  been  influenced 


RIGHT  RKV.  JOHN  HENUY  HORAU'l'.  177 

by  a  conviction  that  it  was  neither  necessary  nor 
expedient.  Some  denominations,  also,  may  have 
feared  that  there  was  a  spirit  of  proselytism  in  the 
measure.  If,  indeed,  this  national  society  were  to 
be  national  in  any  thing  more  than  name,  it  could 
only  be  so  by  delegation,  and  the  general  attend- 
ance of  the  delegates,  without  some  other  business 
or  more  powerful  motive,  could  not  reasonably  be 
expected.  The  time  fixed  for  its  meeting  was 
about  the  time  of  the  meeting  of  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Philadelphia. 
This  circumstance  alone  could  secure  the  attend- 
ance of  persons  from  all  parts  of  the  Union,  and 
give  it  the  semblance  of  a  national  institution;  and 
then,  however  others  might  be  honoured  with  offices, 
the  spirit,  and  influence,  and  credit  of  the  institution 
would  eventually  be  that  of  the  very  numerous  and 
respectable  Presbyterian  denomination.  • 

But  if  this  denomination  and  others  should  think 
proper  to  institute  another  Bible  Society,  yet  the 
patronage,  the  wealth,  the  influence,  and  exertions 
of  Episcopalians  were  needed  for  similiar  institu- 
tions in  their  own  Church.  The  New- York  Bible 
and  Common  Prayer  Book  Society  was  establishedj; 
as  it  was  believed,  before  any  Bible  Society  in  the 
United  States.  Its  Auxiliary,  instituted  by  young 
men  of  our  Church,  called  for  the  support  and 
countenance  of  Episcopalians.  By  encouraging 
these  institutions,  and  connecting  themselves  with 
the  proposed  Bible  Society,  they  would  at  least 
avoid  the  risk  of  injuring  the  interests  of  their  own 
Church,  interrupting  her  harmony,  damping  the 
zeal  for  her  principles,  which  was  leading  her  to 

23 


178  iMEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

prosperity,  and  at  the   same  time  of  coming  into 
unpleasant  collision  with  others. 

The  Bishop  then  reiterates  many  of  the  argu- 
ments in  his  Pastoral  Letter  against  the  evils  of 
indiscriminate  associations,  and  most  affectionately 
and  earnestly  entreats  his  people  to  shun  them. 

This  is  a  mere  abstract  of  his  reasonings,  which, 
from  its  brevity,  must  necessarily  deprive  them  of 
much  of  their  force,  and  which  cannot  be  fully  felt, 
except  from  a  perusal  of  the  pieces  tliemselves. 
The  effect  of  them  was  very  soon  perceived  in  our 
own  Church,  and  a  change  has  since  taken  place 
in  the  opinions  of  many  in  other  denominations, 
which  forms  a  strong  presumption  in  favour  of 
their  justness  and  truth.  Whether  it  be  from  the 
overwhelming  ascendency  which  Bishop  Hobart 
predicted  would  be  gained  by  some  large  society 
over  every  other,  or  from  the  want  of  harmony  in 
carrying  on  their  operations  together,  or  from  the 
discovery,  that  the  liberal  indifference  arising  out 
of  general  efforts  was  paralyzing  their  zeal  for 
their  peculiar  principles,  it  is  with  good  reason  be- 
lieved, that,  in  two  respectable  bodies  of  Christians 
at  least,  there  has  been  a  great  abatement  of 
interest  in  the  American  Bible  Society,  and  a 
growing  dislike  to  all  similar  associations  for  re- 
ligions purposes. 

But  it  was  particularly  gratifying  to  Bishop  Ho- 
bart to  perceive  the  favourable  influence  which 
these  publications  were  exerting  over  the  minds  of 
Episcopalians;  leading  some  to  reflect  on  the  in- 
jurious tendency  of  general  societies  to  the  interests 
of  the  Church,  directing  the  bounty  of  others  into 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAUT.  179 

its  proper  channels,  and  rousing  many  who  had 
hitherto  been  indifferent,  to  active  and  zealous  ex- 
ertions in  behalf  of  our  own  institutions.  Several 
Auxiliary  Bible  and  Common  Prayer  Book  Socie- 
ties were  immediately  formed  in  various  parts  of 
the  state  ;  in  the  institution  of  whicii  many  of  the 
distinguished  laymen  of  our  Church  co-operated 
with  the  clergy.  He  encouraged  others  to  an  imi- 
tation of  their  example,  by  noticing  the  fact  with 
marked  approbation  in  his  address  to  the  Conven- 
tion. He  enforced  the  reasonings  of  his  Pastoral 
Letter  and  Address  in  private  communications  to 
those  persons  from  whose  discriminating  minds 
and  sound  principles  he  might  look  for  a  correct 
decision,  and  from  whose  personal  attachment  he 
might  hope  for  countenance  and  support.  Nor  in 
his  intercourse  with  the  people  did  he  suffer  the 
work  to  rest,  but  by  argument,  persuasion,  and  all 
the  just  influence  of  his  station,  urged  it  on  with 
diligence  and  success. 

The  effects  of  these  publications  extended  also 
beyond  the  immediate  object  for  whicli  they  were 
written.  As  the  general  principles  which  they 
contained  were  alike  applicable  to  all  associations 
with  other  denominations  for  any  common  purpose; 
so  the  tendency  of  them  was  to  restrain  Churchmen 
from  this  amalgamation  in  every  case,  and  to  with- 
draw them  from  such  a  connexion  where  it  had 
already  been  formed.  The  operation  of  them,  in 
both  respects,  though  gradual,  was  plainly  perceived 
in  the  more  wholesome  tone  of  public  sentiment 
among  our  people,  and  in  a  greater  degree  of  union 
in  their  eifort^  for  our  own  institutions:. 


180  IMEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

But  Bishop  Hobart  did  not  merely  confine  his 
solicitude  to  the  exclusive  character  of  our  institU' 
tions,  but  was  unwearied  in  his  exertions  to  promote 
their  useful  and  important  ends.     Humble  as  they 
were  in  their  infant  operations,  they  were  not  be- 
neath his  paternal  care.     Backward  as  our  people 
were  in  their  support,  he  was  never  discouraged. 
He  attended  the  meetinsfs  of  all  our  societies  when- 
ever  it  was  practicable,  and  was  among  the  first  to 
be  present,  and  the  last  to  retire.     He  entered  into 
the    minutest    details    of    their   business — took    a 
lively    interest    in    all    their    proceedings — noticed 
every  change  in  their  condition — suggested  expe- 
dients for  their  improvement  when  they  were  lan- 
guishing, and  rejoiced  at  every  appearance  of  their 
growth  and  success.     The  most  of  these  societies 
were  originally  established,  with  the  approbation  of 
the  ecclesiastical  authority,  by  a  few  young  men,  who 
united  with  the  activity  and  ardour  of  youth  much 
of  the  prudence  and  judgment  of  maturer  years; 
whose  pious  zeal  was  tempered  by  an  enlightened 
attachment  to  the  distinctive  principles  and  usages 
of  our  Church,  and  whose  efforts  were  as  earnest 
and  persevering  in  promoting  the  cause  of  sober- 
ness and  truth,  as  those  of  others  in  spreading  en- 
thusiasm and  error.     The  Bishop  delighted  in  this 
little  band.     He  animated  them  on  all  occasions  by 
his  approbation   and  praise.     He  looked  to   their 
example  for  a  succession  of  active  labourers  in  those 
societies  which  were  so  essentially  connected  with 
the  welfare  of  the  Church.     And  many  of  them,  in 
the   recollection  of  his  parental  watchfulness  and 
regard,  still  feel  the  impulse  which  he  gave  to  their 


RIGHT  REV.   JOHN  HENRY  IIOBART.  J  81 

exertions,  and  go  on  in  their  course  with  unabated 
ardour  and  zeal. 

At  the  opening  of  the  Convention  in  1815,  Bishop 
Hobart  delivered  a  Charge  to  his  clergy  on  the 
Nature  of  the  Christimi  Ministry,  as  set  forth  in  the 
Offices  of  Ordination.  The  first  part  is  a  lucid  ex- 
position of  the  views  of  our  Church  on  this  subject, 
and  an  admirable  epitome  of  the  whole  argument 
on  Episcopacy.  In  the  other  parts  there  are  some 
things  deserving  of  a  more  particular  notice. 

In  presenting  this  succinct  account  of  the  senti- 
ments of  our  Church  in  regard  to  the  Christian 
ministry,  he  states,  that  it  is  his  principal  design  to 
impress  upon  his  brethren  the  caution,  that  we  do 
not  rank  these  opinions  among  the  non-essentials 
of  Christianity. 

"  There  is  often  an  invidious  distinction  made 
between  the  doctrines  and  the  institutions  of  the 
Gospel  ;  and  yet  they  have  both  a  divine  origin, 
and  they  are  inseparably  connected  as  means  to  the 
same  end — the  salvation  of  man.  Justification  by 
a  living  faith  in  the  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 
and  through  the  sanctification  of  the  Divine  Spirit, 
is  a  fundamental  doctrine  of  the  Gospel.  It  per- 
vades all  the  articles,  and  animates  all  the  offices  of 
our  Church;  and  her  ministers  should  make  it  the 
basis  of  all  their  instructions  and  preaching. 

"  But  it  hath  pleased  God  to  constitute  a  visible 
Church,  and  to  make  its  ministry  and  ordinances  the 
means  and  pledges  of  this  justification.  '  The  Lord 
added  unto  the  Church,'  we  are  told,  '  the  saved.' 
Believers  are  always  spoken  of  as  members  of 
Christ's  mystical  body;  and  it  is  the  Church  which 


182  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

Christ  hath  purchased  with  his  blood,  and  which  he 
sanctifies  by  liis  spirit. 

"  But  if  you  destroy  the  ministry,  what  becomes 
of  the  visible  Church?  If  you  render  an  external 
commission  unnecessary,  what  becomes  of  the  mi- 
nistry? And  if  you  change  the  mode  originally 
constituted  for  conveying  this  commission  from  the 
Divine  Head  of  the  Church,  what  assurance  can  we 
have  that  we  enjoy  it? 

"  Our  Church,  on  these  subjects,  speaks  unequi- 
vocal language.  *  «  *.  Let  us  not  go  beyond  her 
language,  but  let  us  not  refrain  from  avowing  it; 
let  us  not  diminish  its  force  through  that  most  un- 
dignified and  unworthy  motive,  a  wish  to  obtain  a 
transitory  popularity  with  those  who  reject  the 
claims  of  Episcopacy. 

"  But  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  the 
duty  of  inculcating  Episcopal  principles  should  be 
discharged  with  prudence.  They  should  not  be 
urged  at  improper  seasons  or  places,  nor  expressed 
in  language  harsh  or  violent,  or  admitting  inferences 
not  intended  or  warranted.  Let  these  principles 
be  inculcated  in  the  spirit  of  liberality,  rendering 
respect  to  the  motives,  the  talents,  and  the  piety  of 
those  who  reject  them.  Let  them  be  inculcated 
with  humility,  carefully  avoiding  all  appearance  of 
arrogance,  and  in  the  spirit  of  fervent  affection  for 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 

*'  Let  us  not  only  inculcate  these  principles,  but 
let  us  cherish  in  our  own  minds  a  sense  of  their 
importance.  Let  us  avoid,  as  far  as  possible,  all 
situations  which  may  require  us  either  to  estimate 
as   non-essential    these    principles,    or   to    appear 


JIKHIT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOHAUT.  183 

inferior  to  others  in  Christian  liberality,  and  vvhicii 
may  place  the  benevolent  and  social  feelings  of 
our  nature  at  variance  with  our  fidelity  to  truths 
solemnly  avowed  by  our  Church,  and  considered 
by  her  essential  to  her  polity;  and  which  we  are  to 
guard  as  the  rallying  points  which  will  finally  bring 
into  one  fold  the  dispersed  and  discordant  Israel  of 
God." 

In  this  Charge  Bishop  Hobart  also  sets  another 
point  in  a  clear  and  proper  light,  as  he  had  done 
before  in  several  of  his  works,  which  has  been  the 
occasion  of  much  confusion  in  the  dispute  on  Epis- 
copacy. > 

"  Let  me  detain  you  while  I  illustrate  the  great 
importance  of  distinguishing  between  the  miiiistry 
and  the  government  of  the  Church,  properly  so 
called. 

"  ^he  ministry  of  the  Church  necessarily  includes 
only  the  orders  of  Bishops,  Priests,  and  Deacons, 
with  their  subordinate  and  appropriate  powers ; 
and  these  are  of  divine  institution. 

"  But  the  govei'nment  of  the  Church,  including 
these  orders  of  the  ministry,  and  thus  far  being  of 
divine  origin,  extends  to  all  those  other  offices  which 
the  Church  may  deem  it  expedient  to  organize ;  to 
the  mode  in  which  her  ministers  are  elected  and 
vested  with  jurisdiction;  and  to  the  particular 
organization  by  which  her  legislative,  executive, 
and  judiciary  powers  are  exercised.  Considered 
in  reference  to  these  latter  objects,  the  government 
of  the  Church  is  of  human  origin. 

"  It  is  expedient,  then,  that  we  speak  of  the  divine 
institution  of  the  Episcopal  ministry,  or  of  Episco- 


184  .iui<:!>[ont  of  the  life  of  the 

pacy,  and  not  of  the  divine  institution  of  Episcopal 
government. 

"  In  avowing  the"  latter,  "  there  is  danger  of 
being  misunderstood,  and  of  being  represented  as 
maintaining  the  divine  institution  of  that  ecclesias- 
tical establishment,  in  all  its  parts,  which  subsists 
in  the  country  from  which  we  are  descended." 

He  then  remarks,  that  the  spiritual  Church  of 
England  and  the  civil  are  entirely  distinct;  and 
shows,  at  length,  in  what  respects  we  agree  with  her 
in  the  former  character,  as  to  all  essential  points  of 
doctrine  and  discipline.  In  the  remainder  of  the 
Charge  he  notices  the  care  with  which  our  Church 
guards  the  entrance  to  the  ministry;  the  literal,  the 
theological,  the  moral,  and  spiritual  qualifications 
which  she  requires  of  those  who  are  to  be  admitted 
to  orders;  the  barriers  which  she  opposes  to  the 
unworthy,  and  the  nature  of  the  priest's  and  dea- 
con's office ;  and  he  concludes  with  a  most  lively 
and  eloquent  description  of  their  duties,  and  a  most 
earnest  and  affectionate  persuasion  to  diligence, 
fidelity,  and  zeal  in  their  solemn  charge. 

In  a  funeral  sermon  which  was  preached  by 
Bishop  Hobart  on  the  death  of  his  predecessor, 
Bishop  Moore,  some  allusion  having  been  made  to 
Paradise,  he  was  led  by  this  circumstance  to  write 
a  Dissertation  on  the  State  of  Departed  Spirits, 
and  the  Descent  of  Christ  into  Hell.  The  reasons 
which  he  states  for  the  discussion  of  this  subject 
are,  "  that  the  doctrine  is  not  generally  understood  ; 
that  it  is  regarded  by  many  as  a  doctrine  of  little 
importance,  and  of  curious  speculation  only  ;  and 
by  others  as  a  dangerous  novelty,  nearly  allied  to 


KIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENKY  IIOIJAUT.  185 

the  tenets  concerning  purgatory  held  by  the  Church 
of  Rome." 

It  is  tlierefore  his  object  to  show — 

"  That  it  is  a  doctrine  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  ; 

"That  it  may  be  traced  to  the  apostolic  age; 
and, 

"  That  it  is  clearly  revealed  in  the  sacred  vvritingSc 

"  The  doctrine  is — that  the  souls  of  men  do  not 
go  immediately  to  heaven,  the  place  of  final  bliss, 
r\ox  io  hell,  tlie  place  of  final  torment,  but  remain 
in  a  state  of  enjoyment  or  misery  in  the  place  of 
the  departed,  until  the  resurrection  at  the  last  day  ; 
when,  their  bodies  being  united  to  their  souls,  they 
are  advanced  to  complete  felicity  or  woe  in  heaven 
or  hell." 

The  first  point  is  proved  by  a  reference  to  the 
Apostles'  Creed,  in  which  it  is  stated,  that  Christ 
"  descended  into  hell,"  or,  as  it  is  explained  in  the 
rubrick,  into  the  ''place  of  departed  spirits;''''  by  the 
passage  in  the  prayer  for  Christ's  Church  militant, 
where  we  are  taught  to  beseech  God  "  that  we,  with 
all  those  who  are  departed  this  life  in  his  faith  and 
fear,  may  be  partakers  of  his  heavenly  kingdom;" 
and  by  an  expression  in  the  burial  service,  where 
we  pray  that  "  we,  with  all  those  who  are  departed 
in  the  true  faith  of  his  holy  name,  may  have  our 
perfect  consummation  and  bliss,  both  in  body  and 
sold,  in  his  eternal  and  everlasting  glory." 

In  the  second  place,  he  shows  that  this  doctrine 
has  been  maintained  not  only  by  the  divines  of  our 
own  Church,  but  by  many  also  of  other  denomina- 
tions, who  were  eminent  for  their  learning  and  piety. 

24 


J  86  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

Dr.  Campbell,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  his 
able  Dissertation  prefixed  to  his  Translation  of  the 
Four  Gospels ;  Dr.  Macknight,  of  the  same  Church, 
in  his  new  Translation  of  the  Epistles  ;  Dr.  Dod- 
•dridge,  in  his  Commentary;  Dr.  Wilson,  in  his 
Notes  on  Ridgely's  Body  of  Divinity;  Dr.  Adam 
Clarke,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wesley— all  maintain  this 
opinion;  and  proofs  of  the  assertion  are  given  by 
extracts  from  their  works.  A  number  of  authorities 
are  also  adduced  in  favour  of  the  same  opinion  from 
the  writings  of  some  of  the  most  illustrious  divines 
of  our  own  Church. 

The  doctrine  is  then  proved  from  the  Scriptures 
themselves.     "  1st.  These  uniformly  represent  that 
there  is  but  one  judgmetit  at  the  last  day ;  that  the 
souls  of  men    are   not   allotted  to  heaven   or  hell 
until  this  final  judgment;   and   that,  previously  to 
that  event,  the  soul  must  be  in  some  other  place. 
2d.  The  happiness  of  heaven  and  the  misery  of  hell 
are  represented  in  Scripture  as  complete,  both  of 
soul  and  body  ;  but,  until  the  resurrection,  the  body 
is  subject  to  corruption.     Previously  to  the  resur- 
rection,  then,   the   righteous   and   tiie  wicked   can 
neither  be  in  heaven  nor  hell.     They  must  be  in 
some  other  place.     Their  state  of  happiness  must 
be  different  from  its  character  in  the  final  heaven 
of  happiness,  and  hell  of  torment.     3d.  The  apostle 
asserts,  that  the  saintsof  the  patriarchal  and  Jewish 
dispensations  have  not  yet  arrived  to  the  full  glory 
of  which  they,  with  the  saints  of  the  New  Testament 
dispensation,  will  finally  partake.     *  These,'   says 
he,  (the  saints  of  old,)  '  all  having  obtained  a  good 
report  by  faith,    received  not  the    promise;    God 


UKJIIT   U!:V.  JOHN   HENllV   llOIJAliT.  187 

having  provided  some  better  things  for  us,  that  they 
without  us  should  not  he  made  ])C7'fect.''  "  Several 
of  the  best  commentators  refer  this  to  their  ^^ final 
glory  in  the  heavenly  state,  to  the  full  consummation 
of  theii'  hojjes  in  Christ  Jesus,  at  the  time  of  liis 
triumphant  appearing."  . 

"  As  therefore  these  saints  of  old  vvlio  are  de- 
parted all  live  to  God — for  God  is  '  their  God,'  and 
'  God  is  not  the  God  of  the  dead,  but  of  the  living;' 
and  as  they  do  not  live  in  that  state  of  final  glory 
in  heaven,  on  which  they  will  not  enter  until  the 
saints  under  the  Gospel  are  admitted  to  it,  at  the 
judgment  of  the  great  day;  it  follows,  that  all  de- 
parted saints  must  live  to  God  in  some  place  sepa- 
rate from  heaven,  anticipating  with  joyfid  hope 
tlieir  final  glorification."  4th.  Another  argument  in 
favour  of  this  opinion  is  drawn  from  that  expression 
of  our  Lord,  *  No  man  hath  ascended  up  to  heaven 
but  he  that  came  down  from  heaven,  even  the  Son 
of  Man,  who  is  in  heaven.'  Though,  therefore,  it 
is  said  that  Enoch  was  translated,  and  Elijah  went 
up  by  a  whirlwind  into  heaven,  yet  this  cannot  sig- 
nify that  heaven  which  is  the  scene  of  the  more 
particular  display  of  the  divine  glory  to  which  Christ 
hath  ascended,  and  to  which  he  will  finally  exalt  his 
saints,  but  to  some  separate  abode  of  blessedness 
and  peace.  Any  other  construction  of  the  word 
would  make  the  passage  of  the  inspired  historian 
directly  contradict  the  assertion  of  our  Lord. 

"  Thus  also  it  is  said — '  David  is  not  yet  ascended 
into  the  heavens.'  His  soul,  therefore,  must  abide 
in  some  separate  region  of  hope  and  enjoyment. 

"  All  these  considerations  prove  that  there  must 


188  MEMOIR  OF  Tin:  LIFE  OF  THK 

be  an  intermediate  state  between  death  and  the 
resurrection,  where  the  souls  of  the  departed  abide. 
5lh.  Tiie  place  of  the  departed  is  particularly  de- 
signated in  Scripture. 

"  The  language  of  our  Lord  to  the  penitent  thief 
— '  This  day  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in  Paradise,' 
determines  the  fact,  that  the  soul  of  the  blessed 
Jesus  after  death  went  to  some  place,  to  which,  as 
the  habitation  of  the  departed  spirits  of  the  righteous, 
the  soul  of  the  penitent  thief  was  also  admitted  ;  and 
this  place  is  called  Paradise. 

"  '  Thou  wilt  not  leave  my  soul  in  hell ;  nor  suffer 
thy  Holy  One  to  see  corruption.'     This  passage  of 
the  sixteenth  Psalm  is  expressly  applied  by  St.  Peter 
to  our  Saviour.     According  to  this  prediction,  the 
soul  of  Christ  was  to  be  in  hell.     But  he  was  not 
in  hell  before  his  death,  neither  was  he  there  after 
his   resurrection.     It  follows,   that  in   the  interval 
between  his  death  and  his  resurrection,  his  soul  was 
in  hell.    There  is  no  escaping  from  this  conclusion 
but  by  maintaining,  according  to  the  opinion  of  some 
commentators,  that  the  soul  here  meant  is  not  his 
rational  or  sjnritual  soul,  but  merely  his  animal 
soul,  or  life,""     This  word,  both  in  the  Hebrew  and 
Greek,  undoubtedly  admits  of  this  double  signifi- 
cation. 

But  there  are  several  reasons  to  justify  the  in- 
terpretation of  it  in  this  passage,  according  to  the 
former  sense. 

"  1.  If  the  soul"  here  "does  not  mean  the  spiritual 
and  immortal  part  of  maji,  but  is  synonymous  with 
animal  life,  or  dead  body,  the  obvious  meaning  of 
the  passage,  as  referring  to  the  two  distinct  parts 


UIGIIT  REV.   JOHN  IIENUY  IIOBAIIT.  189 

of  the  human  nature  of  Christ,  is  lost.  The  last 
clause  would  only  bo  a  redundant  repetition  of  the 
first.  Whereas  there  is  plainly  such  an  opposition 
between  them,  as  that  they  convey  distinct  meanings, 
and  refer  to  different  things.  *  Thou  wilt  not  leave 
my  soul  in  hell ;  nor  suffer  thy  Ploly  One  to  see 
corruption.' 

"2.  According  to  the  interpretation  which  is  here 
opposed,  there  is  no  account  given  of  the  soul  of 
Christ,  in  the  interval  between  his  death  and  his 
resurrection — the  whole  passage  merely  affirms  the 
condition  of  his  body.  But  if  the  former  clause  of 
the  passage  be  interpreted  of  the  soul  or  spiritual 
part  of  the  human  nature  of  Christ,  as  the  latter 
undoubtedly  is  of  his  body,  there  is  then  a  full 
account  of  the  condition  of  both  parts  of  his  nature. 
His  soul  was  in  hell,  but  not  left  there — his  hod[f  in 
the  grave,  but  did  not  see  corruption. 

"  3.  It  is  evident  that  some  part  of  the  human 
nature  of  the  blessed  Jesus,  called  his  soul,  was  to 
be  left  in  some  place  called  hell.  But  i^  soul  means 
merely  his  animal  life,  this  not  being  a  distinct 
subsistence,  there  was  no  part  of  his  nature  in  hell. 
The  term  soul,  therefore,  cannot  mean  his  body, 
his  animal  life,  but  the  spiritual  and  immortal  part 
of  his  human  nature.  This,  his  soul,  properly  so 
called,  was  in  hell,  but  was  not  left  there. 

"  4.  This  passage  was  understood  of  the  descent 
of  the  rational  and  intellectual  soul  of  Christ  into 
hell,  by  the  primitive  Church.  Bishop  Pearson,  in 
his  learned  work  on  the  Creed,  asserts,  that  tlierc 
is  nothing  in  which  the  Fathers  more  agreed  than 
this,  a  real  descent  of  the  soul  of  Christ  unto  the 


190  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OP  THE 

habitation  of  the  souli  of  the  departed  "  though  tliey 
diftered  as  to  the  persons  to  whom,  and  the  end  for 
which  they  descended  ;  and  he  quotes  their  opinions 
at  length. 

"  5.  By  denying  that  the  descent  of  Christ  into 
Iiell,  in  this  passage,  is  meant  of  the  descent  of  his 
sold,  properly  so  called,  we  give  up  the  principal 
argument  from  Scripture,  of  the  existence  of  the 
huma7i  soul  of  Christ.  Apollinaris,  an  early  heretic, 
denied  to  Christ  an  intellectual  or  rational  soid, 
the  place  of  which  was  supplied,  he  said,  by  the 
Word,  or  Divinity.  Against  this  heresy,  the  ortho- 
dox urged  the  text  relative  to  Christ,  *  Thou  wilt 
not  leave  my  soul  in  hell.'  Christ's  descent  into 
hell  they  considered  as  an  undeniable  proof  that 
he  had  a  reasonable  soul:  For  it  could  not  be  his 
Deity  that  descended  into  hell  ;  that  being  omni- 
present, was  incapable  of  any  local  transition.  It 
could  not  be  his  body,  for  that  was  committed  to 
the  tomb.  It  must  therefore  have  been  his  reason- 
able, human  soid.''"' 

The  same  passage  was  also  urged  against  the 
Eutychians,  who  altogether  denied  the  human  na- 
ture of  Christ,  asserting  that  there  was  in  him  but 
one  nature,  the  divine. 

"  But  it  is  of  primary  importance,  in  this  discus- 
sion, to  ascertain  the  correct  meaning  of  the  word 
which,  in  this  passage,  and  many  others,  is  translated 
hell.  If  this  mean  a  place  of  departed  spirits,  then 
the  descent  of  the  spirit,  or  soul,  of  Christ  into  the 
same  abode  is  established. 

"  The  word  hell,  in  our  English  translation  of 
the  Bible,  answers  in  the  original  to  two  distinct 


JIKJHT  REV.  JOH^'  llENilY  IIonASiT.  191 

words,  a^$,  hades,  denoting  merely  a  secret  in- 
visible place,  and  hence  applied  to  the  place  of 
departed  spirits ;  and  yeswa,  gehemia,  signifying 
the  place  of  final  torment." 

It  is  made  evident,  from  an  elaborate  examination 
into  which  the  Bishop  enters,  of  the  meaning  of  the 
former  word  a8^g,  or  hades,  among  the  Greeks,  and 
the  corresponding  word  07'cus  among  the  Romans, 
and  sheol  among  the  Jews,  and  also  from  the  signi- 
fication which  the  authors  of  the  Septuagint  trans- 
lation of  the  Old  Testament  annexed  to  the  term 
in  above  sixty  places  where  it  occurs,  and  from  the 
obvious  import  of  it  in  those  passages  where  it  occurs 
in  the  New  Testament ;  that  when  the  apostles  spoke 
oUiades,  they  used  it  in  its  settled,  universal,  and  ap- 
propriate sense  of  the  place  of  departed  spirits.  And 
this  is  the  word  which  is  rendered  hell  in  the  passage 
relating  to  our  Saviour  in  the  sixteenth  Psalm. 

Some  observations  are  then  made  in  regard  to 
the  situation  of  the  place  of  departed  spirits,  and 
to  the  probability  of  the  souls  of  the  righteous  and 
the  wicked  existing  there  in  different  conditions 
and  different  regions  of  that  unknown  abode. 

"That  region  of  the  departed  where  the  souls  of 
the  righteous  repose,  in  the  interval  between  death 
and  the  resurrection,  is  denominated  by  our  Saviour 
Paradise — *  This  day,  says  he  to  the  penitent  thief, 
*  thou  shalt  be  with  me  in  Paradise.'  Not  in  heaven, 
the  abode  of  the  blessed — for  to  heaven  our  Lord 
ascended  not  till  after  his  resurrection,  as  appears 
from  his  own  words  to  Mary  Magdalene — but  to  that 
region  where  the  righteous  abide  in  joyful  hope  of 
the  consummation  of  their  bliss." 


192  ilIEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

The  objections  to  this  opinion,  drawn  from  other 
parts  of  Scripture,  are  then  answered;  the  ends  for 
which  our  Saviour  descended  into  hell  are  shown 
to  be  of  the  most  important  nature  ;  and  the  dis- 
tinction is  pointed  out  between  this  doctrine  and 
the  Papal  doctrine  of  {)urgatory. 

The  whole  argument  is  thus  concisely  and  admi- 
rably summed  up  by  the  Bishop  himself: — 

"  As  the  souls  of  men  are  not  admitted  into 
heaven,  the  place  of  happiness,  nor  into  hell,  the 
place  of  final  torment,  according  to  the  representa- 
tion of  the  sacred  writings,  until  the  resurrection 
and  judgment  of  the  great  day;  and  as  the  soul, 
both  from  reason  and  Scripture,  is  not  previously  in 
a  state  of  unconsciousness — it  follows,  that  during 
this  interval,  it  must  subsist  in  a  separate  state. 

"As  the  happiness  of  heaven  ;  and  the  misery  of 
hell,  the  place  of  final  torment,  are  represented  in 
Scripture  as  the  happiness  or  misery  of  the  ichole 
man,  of  his  body  united  to  his  soul ;  and  as  this 
union,  dissolved  by  death,  is  not  renewed  until  the 
resurrection  and  judgment  of  the  great  day;  it 
follows,  that  previously  to  this  event,  the  soul  can- 
not be  a  subject  of  the  happiness  of  heaven,  or  of 
the  misery  of  the  final  hell  of  torment,  but  must  be 
in  a  separate  state  of  incomplete,  though  inconceiv- 
ably great  felicity  or  woe. 

"  And  that  there  is  a  place  of  the  departed, 
denominated,  in  allusion  to  its  secret  and  invisible 
character,  «5>7$,  hades,  or  hell,  where,  in  distinct 
abodes,  the  souls  of  the  righteous  and  of  the  wicked 
experience  inconceivable  happiness  or  misery,  ex- 
pecting the  consummation  of  their  felicity  or  woe, 


RIGHT   REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAUT.  193 

at  the  day  of  judgment,  is  placed  beyond  doubt  by 
the  fact  that  Clirist's  human  soul  was  in  hell  (hades), 
in  the  place  of  the  departed,  and  in  that  part  of 
this  place  denominated  Paradise,  in  the  interval 
between  his  death  and  resurrection. 

*'  For,  during  this  interval,  his  human  soul  was  in 
some  place;  since,  independently  of  every  other 
consideration,  it  was  declared  of  him  by  the  prophet, 
tiiat  '  his  soul  was  not  to  be  left  in  hell.' 

"  Bui  his  soul,  during  this  period,  could  not  have 
been  in  heaven;  for  he  did  not  ascend  to  heaven, 
agreeably  to  his  own  declaration,  until  after  his 
resurrection. 

"  Nor  could  his  soul  have  been  in  the  hell  of 
torment;  for  he  declared,  as  matter  of  triumph  and 
joy  to  the  penitent  thief,  that  after  death  they  should 
be  toirether  in  Paradise. 

"In  Paradise,  then,  that  region  of  peace  and  joy, 
in  hades,  the  place  of  the  departed,  was  the  human 
soul  of  tlie  blessed  Jesus  in  the  interval  between 
death  and  the  resurrection. 

"  And  where  the  human  soul  of  Jesus  was  during 
this  period,  there,  during  the  same  period,  must  be 
the  souls  of  the  liuman  race  whose  sentence  of  mor- 
tality he  sustained,  and  of  whom  he  was  the  repre- 
sentative." 

The  abstract  which  I  have  made  of  this  disserta- 
tion, though  large  enough  to  give  the  reader  a 
general  idea  of  the  manner  in  which  the  subject  is 
treated,  is,  however,  but  an  imperfect  representation 
of  the  piece  itself.  It  does  not  exhibit  the  full  force 
of  his  reasonings,  the  aptness  and  variety  of  Jiis 
iliustrationb-,  the  imposing  and  overwhelming  array 

25 


■194  ME.MOIU  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

of  his  authorities.  He  had  examined  the  question 
with  great  care,  and  knowing  how  little  it  was  un- 
derstood, and  how  much  less  it  was  regarded,  and 
at  the  same  time  considering  that  it  was  a  doctrine 
of  Scripture,  and  an  article  of  the  Church,  he  was 
anxious  to  place  it  in  such  a  clear  and  convincing 
light,  that  it  might  be  both  fully  comprehended  and 
devoutly  believed.  He  therefore  brought  to  it  all 
the  powers  of  his  mind  and  the  fruits  of  his  research, 
that  every  position  might  be  fortified,  every  objec- 
tion overthrown,  every  doubt  removed.  And  it  does 
appear  to  me  that  no  one  can  read  it,  who  is  not 
wholly  indifferent  to  the  subject,  or  blinded  by  pre- 
judice, without  a  conviction  of  the  truth  of  the  doc- 
trine in  general,  however  he  may  differ  in  regard  to 
certain  speculations  with  which  it  is  connected.  It 
was  from  the  persuasion  that  some  service  might  be 
rendered  to  the  cause  of  truth,  on  a  point  which  is 
but  little  examined,  that  the  notice  of  this  disserta- 
tion has  been  so  much  extended  ;  and  the  hope  is 
entertained,  that  it  may  still  more  effectually  serve 
it  by  leading  many  to  a  perusal  of  the  treatise 
itself 

The  labours  of  Bishop  Hobart  in  his  extensive 
diocese,  where  the  points  to  be  visited  were  often 
very  remote  from  his  place  of  residence  and  from 
each  other,  and  in  the  large  parish  of  which  he  was 
Rector,  where  both  the  temporal  and  spiritual  cares 
were  more  weighty  than  usual,  would  have  been 
enough  to  break  down  the  physical  strength  of  most 
men,  and  to  have  distracted  and  overwhelmed  tiieir 
minds.  But,  in  1816,  he  received  an  invitation  to 
visit  the  diocese  of  Connecticut;    and  deeming  it 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HEi\RY  HOB  ART.  195 

important  to  the  interests  of  that  section  of  the 
Church,  that  Episcopal  duties  should  not  be  inter- 
mitted there,  he  cheerfully  consented  to  make  this 
new  addition  to  his  labours.  In  a  previous  year, 
during  a  short  visitation  of  six  weeks  in  our  own 
state,  he  held  confirmation  in  twenty  churches, 
preached  forty  times,  and  travelled  eleven  hundred 
miles.  During  this  he  confirmed,  in  thirty-five 
churches,  thirteen  hundred  and  twenty  persons, 
visited  ten  other  congregations,  consecrated  seven 
edifices  to  the  worship  of  God,  and  ordained  twelve 
deacons  and  seven  priests. 

Nothing  can  be  more  dry  and  uninteresting  than 
this  naked  detail,  and  yet  nothing  less  so  than 
the  circumstances  themselves  to  which  it  relates. 
What  is  thus  stated  in  a  few  lines,  occasioned  pro- 
found emotion  in  thousands.  Wherever  the  Bishop 
was  expected  for  confirmation,  the  clergyman  was 
roused  to  extraordinary  exertion,  and  felt  all  the 
tenderness  of  his  pastoral  care  ;  parents  were  filled 
with  anxious  wishes  for  their  children,  or  with 
gratitude  to  God  for  inspiring  them  with  a  sense  of 
their  duty;  the  young  were  withdrawn  from  the 
world  in  which  they  so  naturally  delighted,  engaged 
in  reading,  meditation,  and  prayer,  and  agitated 
with  the  complicated  feelings  of  joy  and  hope, 
timidity  and  awe. 

Wherever  he  came,  though  merely  to  visit  the 
congregations,  there  was  always  a  degree  of  ex- 
citement. From  the  respect  which  was  entertained 
for  his  sacred  ofHce,  the  persuasion  of  his  superior 
wisdom,  and  the  advantages  of  his  ripe  experience, 


196  MEMOm  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

his  discourses  were  heard  with  that  deep  attention 
which  is  due  to  the  exposition  of  God's  word,  and 
his  suggestions  received  as  the  counsels  of  paternal 
authority.  In  consecrating  churches  he  came  to 
mingle  his  congratulations  with  the  joy  of  the  people 
upon  the  crowning  of  their  labours,  their  efforts, 
and  ardent  prayers,  and  to  raise  their  thoughts  from 
the  house  of  the  Lord  on  earth,  which  was  so  dear 
to  their  hearts,  to  the  beauty  and  glory  of  the  Church 
triumphant  in  heaven.  And  when  new  labourers 
were  sent  forth  into  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  both 
he  and  others  indulged  in  the  delightful  anticipation 
of  a  more  abundant  and  joyful  harvest. 

Besides,  there  was  something  in  the  social  cha- 
racter of  the  Bishop  which  heightened  the  interest 
of  his  official  intercourse  with  his  people.  His 
sympathies  were  always  with  the  company  in  which 
he  chanced  to  be,  and  his  heart  in  the  business  in 
which  he  was  engaged.  With  persons  of  education 
and  refinement  he  was  at  his  ease,  and  he  accom- 
modated himself  without  any  effort  to  those  of  low 
degree.  Frank,  courteous,  and  accessible,  no  one 
was  embarrassed  either  by  the  dignity  of  his  station 
or  the  superiority  of  his  talents.  Even  his  pecu- 
liarities, which  were  somewhat  remarkable,  his 
abruptness  in  conversation,  his  absence  of  mind, 
the  quickness  of  his  movements,  the  playfulness  of 
his  remarks,  and  his  occasional  neglect  of  the 
ordinary  forms  of  society,  did  not  materially  lessen 
the  reverence  for  his  character,  while,  at  the  same 
time,  they  increased  the  affection  for  his  person. 
Without  a  spirit  of  adulation,   he  had  a  singular 


RimiT  llEV.  JOHN  lIICiXfiY  lIOi'.AIlT.  197 

faculty  of  making  men  pleased  with  themselves,  by 
directing  the  conversation  to  the  subjects  in  which 
they  were  interested,  or  to  the  pursuits  or  studies 
in  which  they  excelled.  From  the  keenness  of  his 
discernment,  a  slight  acquaintance  was  sufficient 
for  him  to  gain  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the 
character  of  those  into  whose  company  he  was 
thrown  ;  and  from  the  importance  of  this  knowledge 
in  the  station  which  he  occupied,  wherever  he  had 
any  doubts,  he  was  very  careful  to  correct,  or 
confirm  his  own  observations  by  the  information 
which  he  could  procure  from  others.  Seldom, 
therefore,  forming  an  erroneous  estimate  of  men, 
he  mingled  among  them  on  an  easy  footing,  with 
great  gratification  to  them  and  advantage  to  him- 
self. 

From  the  Rev.  John  Skinner  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  Forfar,  North- Britain,  Feb.  26,  1816. 

"  REV.  SIR, 

"  I  have  for  a  long  season  meditated  the  making 
my  acknowledgments  to  you  for  '  the  Armour  In- 
vincible' which  you  put  into  my  hands,  when  called 
upon,  as  a  son,  to  defend  the  character  of  a  revered 
father;  and  as  a  sound  Churchman,  to  repel  one  of 
the  most  malignant  attacks  ever  made  upon  '  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,'  and  the  divinely  instituted 
*  pillar  of  truth,'  the  Catholic  Church — her  ministry 
and  discipline. 

"  Having  observed,  at  last,  a  ship  destined  to 
proceed  direct  from  Dundee,  in  my  vicinity,  to  New- 
York,  I  gladly  embrace  the  opportunity  afforded 
me    of  testifying   my   humble   admirnlion   of  your 


198  rik:\ioir  of  the  lifi:  or  ruv. 

invaluable   '  Apology  for  Apostolic  Order  and  its 
Advocates.'* 

"In  circmnstances  and  situation  almost  precisely 
the  same,  the  Episcopal  Church  of  America  and 
Scotland  ought  ever  to  feel  a  lively  interest  in  each 
other's  prosperity.  It  gives  mc  heartfelt  pleasure 
to  inform  you,  as  an  approved  friend  of  *  Primitive 
Truth  and  Order,'  that  the  venerable  portion  of 
the  mystical  body  of  Christ  to  which  I  belong, 
after  having  been  subjected  to  a  whole  century  of 
ignominy,  contempt,  and  scorn,  is  hourly  advancing 
in  respectability  at  home,  and  in  esteem  abroad. 
The  exertions  of  her  friends,  not  more  distinguished 
by  their  rank  in  the  state  than  by  their  own  personal 
worth,  have  procured  for  the  Episcopal  Church  in 
Scotland  even  royal  patronage.  An  Episcopal  fund 
has  been  established,  to  which  the  whole  bench  of 
Bishops  in  England,  as  also  the  Universities  of 
Oxford  and  Cambridge,  have  liberally  subscribed. 
This  produces  already  £100  per  annum  to  the  Bi- 
shop of  Edinburgh,  with  £50  to  four  other  Bishops, 
and  £60  to  my  venerable  father,  as  Primus,  who 
would  receive  no  more,  besides  an  allowance  to 
the  poorer  clergy.  Two  new  chapels  are  about  to 
be  erected  in  Edinburgh,  which  will  cost  £30,000. 
The  son  of  the  late  estimable  Bishop  Horsley  offi- 

*  It  was  a  curious  circumstance,  that  tiie  character  of  the  attack 
made  on  Bishop  Skinner,  in  Scotland,  was  so  much  like  that  which 
was  made  by  Dr.  Mason  on  the  advocates  of  Episcopacy  in  this 
country,  that  his  son  literally  used  what  he  terms  the  unanswerable 
reasonings  of  the  Apology  for  Apostolic  Order,  in  putting  to  silence 
a  champion  of  Presbytery,  more  bitter  in  his  invectives  than  the 
editor  of  the  Christiuu's  M<igfVZinQ  9,\  I^CW-Y9rk. 


lUGUT  KEV.  JOHN  UENUY  UOBAUT.  199 

ciates  in  a  chnpel  in  Dundee,  which  cost,  about  five 
years  ago,  £7000  ;  and  my  father  and  brother  are 
about  to  erect  one  in  Aberdeen,  at  nearly  an  equal 
expense.  In  fact,  no  town  in  Scotland,  of  any 
respectability,  is  without  a  handsome  Episcopal 
chapel,  and  a  clergyman  of  talents  and  acquire- 
ments ;  so  that,  contrasted  with  those  troublous 
times,  when  three  or  four  Episcopalians  were  not 
permitted  to  meet  together,  the  change  in  our 
situation  is  great.  To  God  alone  the  praise  is 
due.  *  *  *. 

"  Your  hearty  well  wisher, 

"  And  truly  faithful  servant  in  Christ, 

"  J.  SKINNER." 

From  Dr.  Samuel  S.  Smith,  formerly  President 
of  Princeton  College,  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  Princeton,  Jan.  27,  1817. 

"  DEAR  SIR, 

^'  It  should  be  no  subject  of  surprise,  that  I  re- 
member you  and  other  gentlemen  who  were  asso- 
ciated with  you  at  any  period  during  your  residence 
at  this  place.  It  has  not  been  my  fortune  to  meet 
with  those  who  were  more  amiable,  nor  have  others 
more  estimable  in  literature  or  religion  fallen  in  my 
way.  Some  of  those,  especially,  with  whom  I  am  at 
present  surrounded,  are  far  from  effacing  the  agree- 
able recollections  of  those  remote  moments.  I  too 
often  see  austerity,  gloom,  and  harsh  suspicion, 
where  candour,  taste,  aiid  benevolent  sentiment  had 
prevailed.  *•  *  *. 
-   "  I  have  been  thinking  seriously,  since  I  received 


200  MEMO  Hi  OF  THK  LIFE  OF  THE 

your  letter,  of  your  plausible  demonstrations  of  a 
secondary  heaven.     I  am  inclined  to  believe  that 
the  pious  mind  cannot  enjoy  here  complete  felicity 
till  the  resurrection  of  the  body  re-unites  the  whole 
man.      The    human    soul    appears    to    be    of  that 
order,  that  it  receives  all  its  ideas,  sentiments,  and 
emotions  through  the  medium  of  the  body.     The 
unembodied  mind  may  think  on  the  stock  of  ideas 
acquired    in    life,    and    disposed    by   the    fancy   in 
beautiful  images;    but  to  derive  information  in  a 
new  state  of  being,  and  to  enjoy  its  'peculiar  felici- 
ties, seems  to  require  our  ichole  nature,  endowed 
with  proportionably   new  and  peculiar  powers   of 
perception  and  combination.     But  it  is  in  vain  for 
us,  in  this  state,  to  philosophize  on  a  condition  of 
being  of  which  we  have  no  means  afforded  us  to 
judge.     The  inferences  which  you  and  your  excel- 
lent authors  have  drawn  from  the  Scriptures,  have 
proceeded  as  far,  and  perhaps  as  justly,  as  they  can 
be  pursued. 

"  I  have  the  pleasure  to  be,  with  the  utmost  cor- 
diality, 

"  Your  most  obedient, 

"  And  most  humble  servant, 

"  SAM.  S.  SMITH." 

In  his  address  to  the  Convention  this  year,  Bishop 
Hobart  notices,  with  great  satisfaction,  "the  increase 
of  the  numbers  and  the  piety  of  several  congrega- 
tions, which  had  been  effected  by  assiduity  in  paro- 
chial labours,  and  by  the  frequent  performance  of 
the  service  of  the  Church,  without  a  departure  from 
her  prescriptions,  or  the  introduction  of  modes  of 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHIN   ilENRY  HOBART.  201 

exciting  the  feelings,  which  her  sober  institutions 
do  not  warrant."  He  then  remarks,  that  "  the  ad- 
vancement of  piety  in  our  Church  does  not  demand 
a  recourse  to  any  other  means  than  those  which 
she  has  prescribed,  and  which  the  wisdom  of  ages 
has  sanctioned.  Let  the  minister,  as  frequently  as 
circumstances  will  admit,  assemble  his  congregation 
for  divine  worship;  let  him  be  faithful  in  proclaim- 
ing to  the  people  committed  to  his  charge,  the 
whole  counsel  of  God,  and  the  distinguishing  truths 
of  the  dispensation  of  mercy  and  grace  through  a 
Redeemer;  let  him  diligently  attend  to  parochial 
visitation  and  catechetical  instruction  ;  let  him  pub- 
licly and  privately  call  his  people  not  only  to  a 
devout  attendance  on  those  public  ordinances  by 
which,  in  the  exercise  of  penitence  and  faith,  their 
union  with  their  Redeemer  is  maintained,  but  to 
private  and  constant  intercourse  with  iieaven,  in 
pious  reading,  meditation,  and  prayer;  let  him  thus 
be  instant  '  in  season,  out  of  season,'  and  his  labours 
will  be  blessed,  generally,  in  the  increase  of  the 
numbers  of  his  congregation,  but  always,  in  their 
establishment  in  substantial  piety,  agreeably  to  the 
principles  of  the  Church.  This  should  be  the  great 
object,  and  this  is  the  best  reward  of  the  services  of 
her  ministers. 

"  No  opinion  is  more  unfounded  than  that  there 
is  a  deficiency  as  to  the  means  of  pious  instruction 
and  devotion  in  the  forms  of  our  Church.  She  has 
provided  daily  morning  and  evening  prayer;  and 
hence  her  ministers,  when  circumstances  admit  and 
require,  can  assemble  their  flocks  for  any  purposes 
of  Christian  edification,  not  only  daily,  but  twice  in 

26 


202  MEMOIR  OF  TTIF.  T.IFE  OF  THE 

the  dav,    and   lead   tlieir   devotions   to   heaven    m 
prayers,  to  the  use  of  which  he  hatli  bound  himself 
by  the  most  solemn  obligations,   and   than  which 
surely  no  one  of  her  ministers  will  presume  to  think 
that  he  can  make  better.     But  to  suppose  that  our 
Church,  while  she  thus  furnishes  public  edifices  for 
the  celebration  of  the  social  c'evotion  of  her  mem- 
bers,  w-arrants    their   meeting   elsewhere,     except 
where  peculiar   circumstances — in   the   want  of  a 
building,  or  in  the  size  of  a  parish — render  it  neces- 
sary; or  to  suppose  that  while  she  thus  fully  pro- 
vides in  her  institutions  for  the  Christian  edification 
of  her  members,  she  thinks  it  can  be  necessary  for 
this  purpose  to  have  recourse  to  private  meetings, 
the  devotions  of  which  tend  to  disparage  the  liturgy, 
and   eventually  to  lessen  the  relish  for  its  fervent 
but  well-ordered  services,  would  be  to  impute  to 
her  the  strange  policy  of  introducing  into  her  own 
bosom  the  principles  of  disorder  and  schism,  and, 
perhaps,  of  heresy  and  enthusiasm. 

'*  My  Brethren  of  the  Clergy — suffer  me  seriously 
and  affectionately,  with  a  view  to  guard,  not  against 
present,  but  possible  evils,  to  fortify  these  senti- 
ments by  an  authority  to  which  an  appeal  ought 
never  to  be  made  in  vain.  It  is  the  authority  of 
one  whose  piety  was  as  humble  and  fervent  as  hia 
judgment  was  penetrating  and  discriminating,  and 
his  learning  extensive  and  profound.  It  is  the  au- 
thority of  one,  too,  who  lived  in  those  times  when 
the  private  associations  commenced,  the  effects  of 
which  he  deprecated,  but  which  were  finally  awfully 
realized  in  the  utter  subversion  of  the  goodly  fabric 
of  the  Church  whose  ministry  he  adorned,  and  in 


KltaiT  KEV.  JOHN   IIEJN'KV  IloIIAIlT.  203 

the  triumph,  on  her  ruins,  of  the  innumerable  forms 
of  heresy  and  schism.  The  judicious  Hooker  thus 
speaks,  in  that  work  on  Ecclesiastical  Polity  in 
which  he  delivers  so  many  lessons  of  profound 
wisdom:  *  To  him  who  considers  the  grievous  and 
scandalous  inconveniences  whereunto  they  make 
themselves  daily  subject,  with  whom  any  blind  and 
secret  corner  is  judged  a  fit  liouse  of  common 
.prayer ;  the  manifold  confusion  which  they  fall  into, 
where  every  man's  private  spirit  and  gift,  as  they 
term  it,  is  the  only  bishop  that  ordaineth  him  to  this 
ministry;  the  irksome  deformities  whereby,  through 
endless  and  senseless  effusions  of  indigested  prayers, 
they  who  are  subject  to  no  certain  order,  but  pray 
both  what  and  how  they  list,  often  disgrace,  in  most 
insufferable  manner,  the  worthiest  part  of  Christian 
duty  towards  God ;  to  him,  I  say,  who  weigheth 
duly  all  tliese  things,  the  reasons  cannot  be  obscure, 
why  God  doth  in  public  prayer  so  niucii  regard  the 
solemnity  oi places  where,  the  authority  and  calling 
of  persons  by  ichom,  and  the  precise  appointment, 
even  with  what  words  and  sentences,  his  name  shall 
be  called  on,  amongst  his  people/" 

In  this  address,  the  Bishop  also  endeavoured 
to  impress  un  the  minds  of  the  members  of  the 
Convention,  and,  through  them,  on  the  Episcopa- 
lians uf  the  diocese,  the  immense  importance  of 
the  Theological  Seminary  which  it  was  proposed  to 
establisii.  The  sclieme,  wiiich  for  years  he  had  so 
fondly  cherished,  at  length  b(;gan  to  meet  with  the 
co-operation  and  support  of  others;  he  tiierefore 
prosecuted  it  with  greater  earnestness  than  ever. 
He   set  forth   the   various   advantages   of  such  an 


204  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

institution — held  up  the  munificence  of  other  deno- 
minations in  this  respect  as  a  noble  example,  and 
endeavoured  to  rouse  Churchmen  to  a  generous 
emulation  of  their  liberality  and  zeal. 

While  he  was  thus  anxious  about  the  education 
of  those  who  were  to  be  the  guides  and  instructers 
of  others,  he  was  not  inattentive  to  the  wants  of  the 
most  humble  members  in  his  spiritual  charge.  At 
a  meeting  of  the  superintendents,  teachers,  and 
scholars  of  the  Sunday  Schools  of  St.  John's 
Chapel,  for  the  purpose  of  conferring  premiums, 
he  delivered  an  address  on  the  nature,  design,  and 
advantages  of  Sunday  Schools,  which,  from  its  just- 
ness, simplicity,  and  beauty,  cannot  now  be  read 
without  admiration,  and  which,  at  the  time,  must 
have  given  a  new  impulse  to  the  exertions  of  all 
who  were  engaged  in  this  benevolent  work. 

In  the  same  year,  also,  he  delivered  an  address 
before  the  New-York  Protestant  Episcopal  Mis- 
sionary Society  of  Young  Men  and  others,  in  which 
he  explained  the  character  of  the  institution,  gave 
an  interesting  statement  of  facts  in  regard  to  the 
benefits  of  missionary  labours  in  our  diocese,  and 
showed  the  pressing  necessity  for  their  extension. 
He  concluded  with  a  most  earnest  appeal  to  the 
pious  bounty  of  those  whom  God  had  prospered 
in  their  worldly  concerns,  and  sanctified  by  his 
heavenly  grace. 

"  In  this  painful  crisis,  to  whom  shall  the  Church 
look  but  to  those  on  whom  Providence,  in  his  be- 
nignity, pours  temporal  abundance,  and  to  whom 
he  opens  the  full  treasures  of  grace?  The  hearts 
of  the  young  turn  from  those  pursuits  and  pleasures, 


UlGllT  KEY.  JOHN  HENRY  HOCAUT. 


205 


to  which  youthful  feelings  impel  them,  and  glow 
with  pious  ardour  to  aid  in  the  apostolic  work. 
To  this  holy  work  their  elder  brethren,  who  should 
be  examples  to  them  of  pious  zeal,  will  not  surely 
advance  with  hesitating  step  and  reluctant  hand. 
Would  that  I  commanded  the  heart  and  the  hand 
of  every  Episcopalian!  Could  I  open  them  to  a 
more  exalted  object  of  benevolence  than  the  ex- 
tension of  that  kingdom  of  the  Redeemer  which 
bestows  peace  on  the  guilty,  and  salvation  on  the 
lost  children  of  ment 

"  Let  me  then,  with  the  deepest  solicitude,  call 
on  them  to  consider  whether,  when  the  Church  to 
which  they  belong.,  pure  in  her  doctrine,  apostolic 
in  her  ministry,  and  edifying  in  her  worship,  needs 
all  the  bounty  that  they  can  appropriate  for  the 
purposes  of  religion,  that  bounty  should  be  directed 
into  other  channels  1  This  Church  is  worthy  of  the 
undivided  support,  beneficence,  and  zeal  of  those 
whom  she  nurtures  in  her  fold.  By  promoting  her 
prosperity,  they  hasten  the  time  when  that  Church 
shall  appear  as  when  first  she  rose  under  the  hand 
of  her  Divine  Founder,  '  all  glorious  within.'" 

From  the  Rev.  Henry  Hadley  Norris  to  Bishop 
Hobart. 


«  "  Hackney,  April  1,  1818. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  SIR, 

"  Though  personally  unknown  to  you,  your  name 
has  been  for  many  years  familiar  to  me,  through 
the  intervention  of  Archdeacon  Daubeny,  witli 
whom  I  am  intimately  acquainted  ;  and  the  respect 
excited  by  his  report,  has  been  most  fully  confirmed 


206 


MEMOIIJ  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  TlIK 


by  an  Apology  for  Apostolic  Order,  whicii  1  have 
long  considered  as  the  most  condensed  and  luminous 
statement  of  the  argument  in  support  of  that  vital 
point  of  Christian  theology  that  has  fallen  under 
my  observation.  Under  the  influence  of  this  feel- 
ing, I  was  anxious  to  convey  a  pledge  of  it  to  you; 
and  during  the  late  unhappy  differences  which  in- 
terrupted the  friendly  intercourse  between  this 
country  and  America,  I  availed  myself  of  the  return 
of  Dr.  Inglis  to  Nova-Scotia,  to  intrust  him  with  a 
volume  I  had  recently  published,  and  which  he  felt 
confident  he  could  find  the  means  of  conveying  with 
safety  from  Halifax  to  New- York. 

"  The  claims  of  that  volume  to  your  attention 
were  merely  the  facts  which  it  contained  relative 
to  a  question,  in  the  issue  of  which,  not  England 
alone,  but,  I  verily  believe,  the  whole  world  is 
interested — I  mean  that  of  the  Bible  Society ;  and 
I  sent  it  to  you,  that  you  might  have  a  body  of 
evidence  before  you,  which  even  here  could  only 
be  obtained  by  the  most  vigilant  and  persevering 
inquiries,  facilitated  by  peculiar  circumstances  most 
favourable  to  the  investigation.  The  volume,  it  is 
highly  probable,  never  reached  you,  and  therefore 
I  take  the  liberty  of  making  you  a  renewed  tender 
of  it  under  a  more  auspicious  state  of  things,  which 
has  freely  opened  the  channels  of  communication  ; 
and,  together  with  it,  I  enclose  several  publications, 
all  treating  upon  the  same  important  point — some 
as  presents  from  their  respective  authors,  and  the 
remainder  selected  for  the  ability  with  which  they 
are  written,  and  for  the  information  which  they 
contain.     I  hope  you  will  receive  this  little  packet 


IlICHT  REV.  JOHN  IlENUY  lIOr.AHT.  207 

as  holding  out  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  and 

respectfully  soliciting  confidential  intercourse,  such 

as  should  subsist  at  all  times  between  the  several 

parts  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  and  which  is  more 

than   ever  necessary,   in  my  apprehension,  at  the 

present    time,    when    a    specious    design    is    most 

actively  prosecuting,   of  substituting  the  unity    of 

indifference  for  the  unity  of  faith,  and  incorporating 

the  universe  in    one   community,   in  which,    by   a 

solemn  act  of  compromise,  the  various  imaginations 

of  men  and  the  truth  of  God  are   to   be  blended 

together,  and   the   Bible  is  to  be   received   as  the 

common  text-book,  equally  authenticating  them  all. 
»  *  * 

• 

"  The  strong  feeling  of  my  mind  has  long  been, 
that  the    reformed   Episcopal  Churches   ought   to 
unite  as  the  Primitive  Churches  used  to  do — that 
professing  our  belief  in  the  communion  of  saints, 
we  should  act  up  to  the  spirit  of  that  profession. 
Under  this  impression,  I  hailed,  last  year,  with  a 
pleasure  I  cannot  adequately  convey  to   you,    the 
proffered    friendship    and    correspondence    of  the 
South-Carolina   Protestant   Episcopal   Society  for 
the    Advancement  of  Christianity,   and   I  was  de- 
lighted to  see  the  interest  with  which  the  communi- 
cation was  read,  and  the  eagerness  expressed  to 
embrace    the    proposition    with    cordiality,   and  to 
convey,  in  the  most  unqualified  terms,  the  high  sense 
which  our  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Know- 
ledge entertained  of  the  alliance  proposed,  and  the 
assurance  that  it  would  at  all  times  cultivate  the 
correspondence  of  its  sister  society  with  the  utmost 
assiduity,    from    a   powerful    conviction    that   both 


208  .MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

societies  would  thus  materially  promote  the  welfare 
of  each  other,  and  more  especially  of  that  just  cause 
which  in  their  respective  spheres  of  action  they 
were  simultaneously  exerting  themselves  to  promote. 
I  have  had  my  thoughts  bent  upon  a  similar  propo- 
sal to  you  for  several  years  past,  indeed,  I  may  say, 
have  had  my  pen  in  hand  to  execute  it;  the  convic- 
tion, however,  that  I  fill  no  station  sufiiciently  osten- 
sible to  sanction  the  proceeding,  has  repeatedly 
induced  me  to  forego  my  purpose  ;  but  I  can  refrain 
no  longer,  our  m.utual  interests  make  it  almost  in- 
dispensable '  that  this  wall  of  partition  should  be 
broken  down,  that  we  should  take  sweet  counsel 
together,  and  walk  to  the  house  of  God  as  friends,' 
as  fellow-members  of  the  body  of  Christ,  as  fellow- 
soldiers  enlisted  under  one  Captain  of  our  salvation, 
and  now,  especially  called  upon  to  contend  earn- 
estly and  in  concert  for  the  common  faith.  *  *  *. 
I  am  sure,  that  if  in  the  other  dioceses  of  America 
there  are  Episcopal  Societies  formed  upon  the 
model  of  ours,  that  is  not  liberalized  according  to 
the  distempered  charity  of  the  day,  we  shall  as 
heartily  give  them  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  as 
we  have  given  it  to  tliat  of  South-Carolina ;  and  I 
am  not  without  hopes  that  some  sort  of  alliance 
might  be  effected  with  the  Society  for  the  Propa- 
gation of  the  Gospel  in  her  missionary  exertions. 
Of  course  we  cannot  look  to  your  unestablished 
Church  for  pecuniary  contributions,  but  must  rather 
prepare  ourselves  for  supplying  your  wants  from  our 
abundance  ;  but  you  might  be  able  to  supply  men 
trained  to  endure  the  hardness  which  the  missionary 
should  be  inured  to,  nnd  withal  sound  in  the  faith 


IIICHT   llEV.   JOHN  IIENUY   iiOIJAllT.  209  > 

and  economy  of  the  Gospel ;  at  all  events,  an  inter-  *" 
change  of  sentiments  and  of  information  upon  the 
religious  phenomena  of  the  day  in  our  respective 
dommunions,  might  be  established ;  and  even  this 
could  not  fail  of  being  mutually  beneficial  in  a  very 
high  degree. 

"  In  Bishop  Dehon's  communication  there  was 
some  mention  of  a  library  forming  at  Charleston 
for  the  benefit  of  the  clergy.  If  I  knew  what  books 
are  already  procured,  and  what  were  chiefly  want- 
ing, I  might  have  it  in  my  power  to  assist  the  ;- . 
Bishop  in  accomplishing  his  object ;  and  1  beg  you 
to  assure  him,  that  I  should  have  great  pleasure  in 
doing  so.  And  in  conclusion,  I  beg  to  assure 
yourself  that  I  am,  with  much  respect,  and  with 
■every  sentiment  with  which  a  subordinate  clergyman 
should  regard  the  Bishops  of  the  Christian  Church, 

"  Very  faithfully  yours, 

"  HENRY  HADLEY  NORRIS." 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  the  Rev.  John  M'Vickar. 

"  New-  York,  June  7,  1818. 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR, 

"  It  gives  me  unfeigned  pleasure  to  hear,  in  various 
ways,  of  your  increasing  usefulness.  I  know  no 
greater  source  of  gratification  than  to  view  the 
progress  of  real  piety,  in  connexion  with  the  prin- 
ciples, the  order,  and  the  worship  of  our  Church, 
and  to  perceive  tha!  this  advancement  is  cfllected  by 
those  sober  but  zealous  parociiial  labours  which,  in 
their  uUimate  success,  far  exceed  the  mure  noisy 
but  less  transient  pretences  of  enthusiasm.     May 

27  . 


210  IMEMOIU  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

your  example,  my  dear  Sir,  long  afford  this  gratifi- 
cation. 

"  I  send  you  two  pamphlets,  the  principles  and 
views  of  which  are  the  result  of  much  serious  re- 
flection, and  which  I  hope  will  accord  with  your 
judgment.  I  am  extremely  solicitous  that  you 
and  your  friends  at  Hyde-Park  should  unite  with 
the  friends  of  the  Church  at  Poughkeepsie,  in  es- 
tablishing a  Dutchess  Bible  and  Common  Prayer 
Book  Society,  on  the  principles  of  that  contem- 
plated on  Long-Island.  *  *  *.  The  Bible  and 
Common  Prayer  Book  Society  in  this  city  was  es- 
tablished before  the  Bible  Society,  and  it  would  be 
unfortunate  if  the  Church  people  in  this  diocese 
should  oppose  the  principles  and  views  of  that  in- 
stitution. Union  among  ourselves  is  an  object,  to 
effect  which  each  one  should  be  prepared  to  make 
some  sacrifices  of  private  opinion.  *  *  *. 

"  Believe  me, 

"  With  much  regard, 
"  Yours,  &c. 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

The  following  letter,  which  was  written  to  myself 
on  occasion  of  a  contemplated  journey  to  Europe, 
which  it  was  thought  expedient  I  should  take  for 
the  recovery  of  my  health,  will  furnish  a  proof  of 
the  kind  and  tender  interest  which  the  Bishop 
always  felt  in  the  welfare  of  his  friends. 

"  New-London,  August  26,  1817. 

"  I  received  your  letter,  my  dear  friend,  and  the 

information  of  Bishop  Dehon's  death,  at  this  place, 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  211 

and  they  occasioned  a  greater  depression  of  spirits 
than  I  have  felt  for  a  long  time.  With  regard  to 
yourself,  it  is  some  consolation  that  you  are  awak- 
ened to  a  sense  of  the  danger  of  your  situation, 
before  it  is  too  late  to  avail  yourself  of  the  means  of 
restoration.  You  have  every  reason  to  hope  that, 
by  the  blessing  of  God,  these  means  will  be  effec- 
tual. You  should  endeavour  to  keep  up  your 
spirits.  There  is  something  inexpressibly  consola- 
tory in  the  assurance  that  God  is  our  Father,  and 
that  he  watches  over  us  with  more  than  a  parent's 
love.  Life  is  short  and  vain  at  best,  but  while  we 
have  God  for  our  Friend  and  Father,  we  can  rejoice 
in  the  midst  of  all  the  tribulations  of  the  world. 
Good  may  come  out  of  temporary  evil.  Your  health 
may  be  restored  completely,  and  then  your  voyage 
may  have  been  a  source  of  gratification  to  you. 
"  In  haste, 

"  Ever  and  most  affectionately  yours, 

"  J.  H.  IIOBART." 

The  following  letter  was  written  to  me  while  I 
was  in  Europe. 

■       -  '*  New- York,  Jul  1/17,  1818 

"  MY  VERY  DEAR  FRIEND,  , 

"  You  must  not  conclude,  because  I  have  not 
written  to  you,  that  I  am  indifierent  to  you;  on  the 
contrary,  I  believe  a  day  has  rarely  passed,  in 
wiiicli  I  have  not  thought  of  you  with  interest  and 
affection.  But  something  or  other  lias  always  pre- 
vented my  carrying  my  resolution  to  write  to  you 
into  effect.    Procrastination,  an  aversion  to  writing, 


212  ;\TEMom  of  the  life  of  the 

bodily  and  mental  languor,  and  I  may  add,  more 
than  the  ordinary  pressure  of  duties  and  of  cares ; 
and  besides,  I  was  desirous  that  when  I  did  write, 
you  should  receive  my  letter ;  and  you  seemed 
moving  about  so  much,  that  I  thought  hitherto  the 
chance  was  very  much  against  your  receiving  letters. 
I  knew  also  that  Jane*  was  constantly  writing  to 
you,  and  acquainting  you  with  all  our  domestic  and 
Church  affairs.  Be  assured,  however,  that  my  heart 
has  been  with  you,  and  that  no  person  has  been  more 
delighted  than  myself  with  the  news  of  the  restora- 
tion of  your  health.  How  gratified  I  should  have 
been  to  be  with  you.  I  think  I  could  have  seen  with 
an  eye  and  an  heart  as  much  alive  as  your  own  to 
the  beauties  of  nature  and  art,  the  sublime  and 
interesting  scenery  through  which  you  have  passed, 
and  the  stupendous  monuments  of  human  genius, 
taste,  and  industry,  with  which  you  have  been  for 
the  year  past  conversant.  How  much  pleasure  do 
I  anticipate  from  your  return,  as  well  from  again 
enjoying  your  society,  as  from  the  accounts  which 
you  will  give  me  of  your  travels  !  After  all,  England, 
because  there  is  the  Church  in  her  apostolic  and 
primitive  purity  of  doctrine  and  ministry,  is  the  most 
interesting  country  to  me.  Get  as  much  information 
there  as  you  can  concerning  the  Church,  its  minis- 
ters, &c.  &c.  I  enclose  two  letters — one  to  Arch- 
deacon Daubeny,  and  the  other  to  Mr.  Norris,  of 
Hackney,  near  London,  who  has  recently  com- 
menced a  correspondence  with  me;  and  who,  Dr. 
Inglis,  of  Nova-Scotia,  informs  me,  is  a  most  exem- 

*  MrSo  Bcrrian.  .Oo'*'' 


RIGHT  REV.  JOIIIV  HENRY  II013AIiT.  213 

plary  clergyman,  of  large  fortune,  which,  as  well  as 
his  health,  time,  and  talents,  he  is  spending  in  the  •* 
service  of  the  Church;  and  he  is  os  good  a  Church- 
man (which,  by  the  by,  is  saying  not  a  little  of 
him,)  as  your  friend.  I  shall  write  him  a  long 
letter  in  answer  to  his,  but  do  not  wish  to  delay  this 
letter  containing  an  introduction  to  him.  Assure 
him  that  I  value,  most  highly  his  communication, 
and  that  I  shall  not  ftiil  to  avail  myself  of  his  prof- 
fered correspondence.  And  let  him  know  all  that 
you  may  think  interesting  with  regard  to  myself 
and  the  clergy  and  Church  here.  *  *  *. 

"  My  family  are  well,  as  are  yours  and  all  your 
friends  here  and  at  Elizabeth.  Your  letters  are 
grateful  to  us  all.  Shall  we  not  hear  from  England  1 
That  God  may  bless  you,  and  return  you  to  us  in 
good  health,  is  the  prayer  of 

"  Your  sincere  and  affectionate, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

From  the  Rev.  Dr.  Inglis,  now  Bishop  of  Nova- 
Scotia,  to  Bishop  flobart. 

"  Halifax,  Nova- Scotia,  May  18,  1818. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  SIR, 

"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Norris,  of  Hackney,  near  London, 
supposing  me  to  enjoy  the  honour  of  occasional 
intercourse  with  you,  has  requested  me  to  mention 
him,  as  an  introduction  to  some  inquiries  with 
which  he  is  desirous  to  be  permitted  to  trouble  you. 

"  And  although  I  have  never  enjoyed  this  satis- 
faction, and  can  scarcely  be  known  to  you,  unless 
merely  by  name,  as  the  son  of  a  person  formerly 


214  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

well  known  in  some  of  the  churches  over  which 
you  preside,  I  take  the  liberty  of  complying  with 
Mr.  Norris's  request. 

"  He  is  a  clergyman  of  independent  fortune, 
which  he  devotes  to  the  service  of  religion  ;  and  is 
one  of  the  most  zealous  defenders  and  supporters 
of  our  National  Church.  He  has  been  made  more 
generally  conspicuous  by  very  bold  attacks  upon  the 
structure  and  tendency  of  the  Bible  Society,  which 
begin  to  excite  much  uneasiness  in  many,  although 
it  cannot  be  denied  that  a  large  number  of  excellent 
hearts  are  still  its  supporters  and  advocates. 

"  In  his  private  circle  of  acquaintance  Mr.  Norris 
is  known  as  a  pattern  of  all  good  works.  Living 
in  a  very  populous  parish,  whose  means  of  accom- 
modation for  its  parishioners  on  Sunday  are  very 
insufficient,  although  its  church  is  of  enormous 
size,  he  has  built,  chiefly  at  his  own  expense,  a 
beautiful  chapel,  with  large  accommodations  for  the 
poor.  He  has  affixed  it  to  the  parish  church  in  the 
most  constitutional  manner — serves  it  himself,  with 
the  assistance  of  a  curate,  whom  he  supports,  and 
has  endowed  it,  that  it  may  never  be  unserved. 
His  whole  time,  and  health,  and  talents,  are  devoted 
to  public  objects  of  the  noblest  kind  ;  and  I  lament 
to  say  that  he  is  wearing  himself  away  by  his  un- 
ceasing labours.  The  present  Bishop  of  Llandaff, 
Dr.  Marsh,  gave  him  the  first  vacant  stall  in  his 
cathedral,  which  was  an  honourable  testimony  to 
his  character  and  principles. 

"  You  will,  I  doubt  not,  feel  an  interest  in  the 
prosperity  of  our  Church  in  your  neighbourhood. 
We  are  not  without  our  trials,  but  draw  forth  en- 


RIGHT  IJEV.  JOHN  HENUY  HOHART.  215  "** 

coLiragement  from  the  promises,  in  which  we  humbly 

hope  we  have  a  share.     Before  the  death  of  my 

lamented  father,  a  very  considerable  addition  was 

procured  to  the  insufficient  salaries  of  our  clergy, 

all  of  whom  now  receive   a  clear  income  of  £200 

sterling    from    England,    in   addition    to  whatever 

local  advantages  they  can  obtain.     When  disabled 

by  infirmity,  they  have  a  pension  of  £100  sterling; 

their   widows    have    pensions    of  £50    each ;    and 

scholarships  of  £30  sterling  per  annum  are  founded, 

both   at   our   college   and   preparatory   school,    for 

candidates  for  orders,  with  a  preference  to  the  sons 

of  missionaries.   The  benefits  of  these  arrangements 

begin  to  be  felt,   and  we  have  now  twenty  young 

men  of  fair  promise  preparing  for  ordination.    Our 

committee  of  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian 

Knowledge  flourishes  beyond  our  hopes,  and  has 

proved  a  powerful  bond  of  union  among  ourselves, 

so  that  not  one  clergyman,  and  very  few  Churchmen 

in  this  diocese,  have  joined  the  Bible  Society.    The 

Madras  system  of  education  is  daily  extending  itself 

from  a  central  school  of  the  first  character  in  this 

parish,  which  is  attended  already  by  four  hundred 

children,  and  their  number  receives  daily  increase. 

*  *  * 

• 

"  With  humble  prayers  for  the  blessing  of  God 
upon  every  part   of  that  branch  of  the   Christian 
Church  which  has  the  advantage  of  your  watchful 
care  and  able  direction,  I  have  the  honour  to  be, 
"  Right  Rev.  Sir, 

"  Very  respectfully, 

"  Your  dutiful  servant, 

"  JOHN  INGLIS." 


216  i\IEMOni  OF  TilK  LIFE  OF  TiiK 

Among  the  subjects  iioticcd  in  the  Bishop's 
address  to  the  Convention  this  year,  there  was  one 
in  regard  to  which  he  had  for  a  long  time  shown  a 
most  affectionate  and  paternal  concern,  and  which 
it  is  thought  may  not  be  without  a  degree  of  interest 
to  the  reader. 

"  It  is  a  subject  of  congratulation,  that  our  Church 
has  resumed  the  labours  which,  for  a  long  period 
before  the  revolutionary  war,  the  Society  in  England 
for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts, 
directed  to  the  religious  instruction  of  the  Indian 
tribes.  Those  labours  were  not  wholly  unsuccess- 
ful; for,  on  my  recent  visit  to  the  Oneidas,  I  saw  an 
aged  Mohawk,  who,  firm  in  the  faith  of  the  Gospel, 
and  adorning  his  profession  by  an  exemplary  life, 
is  indebted,  under  the  Divine  blessing,  for  his 
Christian  principles  and  hopes  to  the  missionaries 
of  that  venerable  society.  The  exertions  more  re- 
cently made  for  the  conversion  of  the  Indian  tribes, 
have  not  been  so  successful,  partly  because  not 
united  with  efforts  to  introduce  among  them  those 
arts  of  civilization,  without  which  the  Gospel  can 
neither  be  understood  nor  valued ;  but  principally 
because  religious  instruction  was  conveyed  through 
the  imperfect  medium  of  interpreters,  by  those  un- 
acquainted with  their  dispositions  and  habits,  and 
in  whom  they  were  not  disposed  to  place  the  same 
confidence  as  in  those  who  are  connected  with  them 
by  the  powerful  ties  of  language,  of  manners,  and 
of  kindred.  The  religious  instructor  of  the  Oneidas, 
employed  by  our  Church,  enjoys  all  these  advant- 
ages. Being  of  Indian  extraction,  and  acquainted 
with  their  language,  dispusitions,  and  customs,  and 


KlUHT   REV.   JOHN  HEMJY    IIORAIIT.  217 

devoting  himself  unremittingly  to  their  spiritual  and 
temporal  welfare,  he  enjoys  their  full  confidence ; 
while  the  education  which  he  has  received,  has  in- 
creased his  qualifications  as  their  guide  in  the  faith 
and  precepts  of  the  Gospel.  Mr.  Eleazar  Williams, 
at  the  earnest  request  of  the  Oneida  chiefs,  was 
licensed  by  me,  about  two  years  since,  as  their 
lay-reader,  catechist,  and  schoolmaster.  Educated 
in  a  different  communion,  he  connected  himself 
with  our  Church  from  conviction,  and  appears 
warmly  attached  to  her  doctrines,  her  apostolic 
ministry,  and  her  worship.  Soon  after  he  com- 
menced his  labours  among  the  Oneidas,  the  Pagan 
party  solemnly  professed  the  Christian  faith.  Mr. 
Williams  repeatedly  explained  to  them,  in  councils 
which  they  held  for  this  purpose,  the  evidences  of 
the  divine  origin  of  Christianity,  and  its  doctrines, 
institutions,  and  precepts.  He  combated  their  ob- 
jections, patiently  answered  their  inquiries,  and  was 
finally,  through  the  divine  blessing,  successful  in 
satisfying  their  doubts.  Soon  after  their  conver- 
sion, they  appropriated,  in  conjunction  with  the 
old  Christian  party,  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of 
some  of  their  lands  to  the  erection  of  a  handsome 
edifice  for  divine  worship,  which  will  be  shortly 
completed. 

"  In  the  work  of  their  spiritual  instruction,  the 
Book  of  Common  Prayer,  a  principal  part  of  which 
has  been  translated  for  their  use,  proves  a  powerful 
auxiliary.  Its  simple  and  afi^ecting  exhibition  of  the 
truths  of  redemption  is  calculated  to  interest  their 
hearts,  while  it  informs  their  understanding,  and 
its  decent  and  significant  rites  contribute  to  fix  their 

28  ■ 


218  iMEftioiu  OF  THE  LiFi:  OF  thl: 

attention  in  the  exercises  of  worship.  They  are 
particularly  gratified  with  having  parts  assigned 
them  in  the  service,  and  repeat  the  responses  with 
great  propriety  and  devotion.  On  my  visit  to  them, 
several  hundred  assembled  for  worship;  those  who 
could  read  were  furnished  with  books  ;  and  they 
uttered  the  confessions  of  the  liturgy,  responded  its 
supplications,  and  chanted  its  hymns  of  praise,  with 
a  reverence  and  fervour  which  powerfully  interested 
the  feelings  of  those  who  witnessed  the  solemnity. 
They  listened  to  my  address  to  them,  interpreted 
by  Mr.  Williams,  with  such  solicitous  attention; 
they  received  the  laying  on  of  hands  with  such 
grateful  humility;  and  participated  of  the  symbols 
of  their  Saviour's  love  with  such  tears  of  penitential 
devotion,  that  the  impression  which  the  scene  made 
on  my  mind  will  never  be  effaced.  Nor  was  this 
the  excitement  of  the  moment,  or  the  ebullition  of 
enthusiasm.  The  eighty-nine  who  were  confirmed, 
had  been  well  instructed  by  Mr.  Williams ;  and  none 
were  permitted  to  approach  the  communion,  whose 
lives  did  not  correspond  with  their  Christian  pro- 
fession. The  numbers  of  those  who  assembled  for 
worship,  and  partook  of  the  ordinances,  would  have 
been  greater,  but  from  the  absence  of  many  of  them 
at  an  Indian  council  at  Buffalo.  ;     -     • 

"  I  have  admitted  Mr.  Williams  as  a  candidate 
for  orders,  on  the  recommendation  of  the  Standing 
Committee;  and  look  forward  to  his  increased  in- 
fluence and  usefulness,  should  he  be  invested  with 
the  office  of  the  ministry. 

"  There  is  a  prospect  of  his  having,  some  time 
hence,  a  powerful  auxiliary  in  a  young  Indian,  the 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHX  UKMiY   liOBAKT.  219 

son  of  the  head  warrior  of  the  Onoiidagas,  who  was 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Chippewa,  and  who,  amiable 
and  pious  in  his  dispositions,  and  sprightly  and 
vigorous  in  his  intellectual  powers,  is  earnestly  de- 
sirous of  receiving  an  education  to  prepare  him  for 
the  ministry  among  his  countrymen.  I  trust  that 
means  will  be  devised  for  accomplishing  his  wishes. 
We  ought  never  to  forget  that  the  salvation  of  the 
Gospel  is  designed  for  all  the  human  race  ;  and  that 
the  same  mercy  which  applies  comfort  to  our 
wounded  consciences,  the  same  grace  which  puri- 
fies and  soothes  our  corrupt  and  troubled  hearts, 
and  the  same  hope  of  immortality  which  fills  us  with 
])eace  and  joy,  can  exert  their  benign  and  celestial 
influence  on  the  humble  Indian." 

Shortly  after  this  notice,  the  chiefs  of  the  Oneidas 
sent  an  address  to  Bishop  Hobart,  marked  by  the 
peculiarities  of  style  belonging  to  that  race,  and  a 
child-like  and  touching  simplicity,  which  was  an- 
swered by  him  with  a  happy  accommodation  to 
their  customs  and  taste. 

"  Right  Rev.  Father, 

"  We  salute  you  in  the  name  of  the  ever-adorable, 
ever-blessed,  and  ever-living  sovereign  Lord  of  the 
universe;  we  acknowledge  this  great  and  almighty 
Being  as  our  Creator,  Preserver,  and  constant 
Benefactor. 
"  Right  Rev.  Father, 

"  We  now,  with  one  heart  and  mind,  would  ex- 
press our  gratitude  and  thankfulness  to  our  great 
and  venerable  father,  for  the  favour  which  he  has 
bestowed    upon   this    nation,    in    sending    Brother 


220  MEMOIR  OF  THK  LIFE  OF  THE 

Williams  among  us,  to  instruct  us  in  the  religion 
of  the  blessed  Jesus.  When  he  first  came  to  us, 
we  hailed  him  as  our  friend,  our  brother,  and  our 
guide  in  spiritual  things;  and  he  shall  remain  in 
our  hearts  and  minds  as  long  as  he  shall  teach  us 
the  ways  of  the  Great  Spirit  above. 
"  Right  Rev.  Father, 

"  We  rejoice  to  say,  that  by  sending  Brother 
Williams  among  us,  a  great  light  has  risen  upon 
us :  we  see  now  that  the  Christian  religion  is  in- 
tended for  the  good  of  the  Indians  as  well  as  the 
white  people;  we  see  it,  and  do  feel  it,  that  the 
religion  of  the  Gospel  will  make  us  happy  in  this 
and  in  the  world  to  come.  We  now  profess  it 
outwardly,  and  we  hope,  by  the  grace  of  God,  that 
some  of  us  have  embraced  it  inwardly.  May  it  ever 
remain  in  our  hearts,  and  we  be  enabled,  by  the 
Spirit  of  the  Eternal  One,  to  practise  the  great 
duties  which  it  points  out  to  us. 
"  Right  Rev.  Father, 

"  Agreeably  to  your  request  we  have  treated  our 
brother  with  that  attention  and  kindness  which  you 
required  of  us ;  we  have  assisted  him  as  far  as  was 
in  our  power,  as  to  his  support:  but  you  know  well 
that  we  are  poor  ourselves,  and  we  cannot  do  a 
great  deal.  Though  our  brother  has  lived  very 
poor  since  he  came  among  us,  yet  he  is  patient, 
and  makes  no  complaint:  we  pity  him,  because  we 
love  him  as  we  do  ourselves.  We  wish  to  do 
something  for  his  support ;  but  this  it  is  impossible 
for  us  to  do  at  present,  as  we  have  lately  raised 
between  three  and  four  thousand  dollars  to  enable 
us  to  build  a  little  chapel. 


UKJUT  liEV.  JOHN  HKiNRY  llOIJAKT.  221 

"  Right  Rev.  Father,   - 

"  We  entreat  and  beseech  you  not  to  neglect  us. 
We  hope  the  Christian  people  in  New-York  will 
help  us  all  that  is  in  their  power.  We  hope  our 
brother  will  by  no  means  be  withdrawn  from  us. 
If  this  should  take  place,  the  cause  of  religion  will 
die  among  us;  immorality  and  wickedness  will  pre- 
vail. 
"  Right  Rev.  Father, 

"  As  the  head  and  father  of  the  holy  and  apostolic 
Church  in  this  state,  we  entreat  you  to  take  a 
special  charge  of  us.  We  are  ignorant,  we  are 
poor,  and  need  your  assistance.  Come,  venerable 
father,  and  visit  your  children,  and  warm  their 
hearts  by  your  presence,  in  the  things  which  belong 
to  their  everlasting  peace. 

"  May  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  whom  you 
serve,  be  with  you,  and  his  blessing  ever  remain 
with  you. 

"  We,  venerable  father, 

"  Remain  your  dutiful  children, 
''  HENDRICK  SCHUYLER, 
"  SILAS  ANONSENTE, 
"  WILLIAM  TEHOIATATE, 
"  DANIEL  PETERS, 
"  NICHOLAS  GARAGONTIE,     ; 
"  WILLIAM  SONAWENHESE,  &c. 
'' Oneida,  Jan.  19,  IS^S.'' 

The  Bishop's  answer  : — 

''  My  Children, 

"  I  have  received  your  letter  by  your  brother  and 


S22  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

teacher,  Eleazar  Williams,  and  return  your  affec- 
tionate and  Christian  salutation,  praying  that  'grace, 
mercy,  and  peace,'  from  God  the  Father,  and  from 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  may  be  with  you. 
*^  My  Children^ 

"  I  rejoice  to  hear  of  your  faith  in  the  one  living 
and  true  God,  and  in  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,  whom  he 
has  sent,  whom  to  know  is  life  eternal ;  and  I  pray 
that,  by  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God,  you  may  be  kept 
steadfast  in  this  faith,  and  may  walk  worthy  of  him 
who  hath  '  called  you  out  of  darkness  into  his 
marvellous  light.' 
"  My  Childre7i, 

"  It  is  true,  as  you  say,  that  the  Gospel  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  is  intended  for  In- 
dians as  well  as  white  people.  For  the  great  Father 
of  all  '  hath  made  of  one  blood  all  the  nations  of 
the  earth ;'  and  hath  sent  his  Son  Jesus  Christ  to 
teach  them  all,  and  to  die  for  them  all,  that  they 
may  be  redeemed  from  the  power  of  sin,  and  brought 
to  the  acknowledgment  of  the  truth,  and  to  the 
service  of  the  living  God. 
"Ml/  Children, 

"  It  is  true,  as  you  say,  that  the  religion  of  the 
Gospel  will  make  you  happy  in  this  world  as  well  as 
in  the  world  to  come ;  and  I  join  in  your  prayer, 
that  you  may  profess  it  inwardly  as  well  as  out- 
wardly ;  that  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  you 
maybe  'transformed  by  the  renewing  of  your  minds,' 
and  acquire  the  holy  tempers,  and  practise  the  holy 
duties  which  the  Gospel  enjoins.  And  for  this 
purpose  I  beseech  you  to  attend  to  the  instructions 
of  your  faithful  teacher  and  brother,  Eleazar  Wil- 


RIGHT   UEV.  JOHN  HENUY  HOr.AUT.  22t5^ 

liams;  to  unite  with  him  in  the  holy  prayers  of  our 
apostolic  Church,  which  he  has  translated  into  your 
own  language ;  to  listen  with  reverence  to  the  di- 
vine word  which  he  reads  to  you  ;  to  receive,  as 
through  grace  you  may  be  qualified,  and  may  have 
an  opportunity,  the  sacraments  and  ordinances  of 
the  Church ;  and  at  all  times,  and  in  all  places,  to 
lift  up  your  hearts  in  supplication  to  the  Father 
of  your  spirits,  who  always  and  every  where  hears 
and  sees  you,  for  pardon,  and  grace,  to  comfort,  to 
teach,  and  to  sanctify  you,  through  your  divine 
Mediator,  Jesus  Christ. 
"  My  Children, 

"  Let  me  exhort  you  diligently  to  labour  to  get 
your  living  by  cultivating  the  earth,  or  by  some 
other  lawful  calling;  you  will  thus  promote  your 
worldly  comfort,  you  will  be  more  respected  among 
your  white  brethren,  and  more  united  and  strong 
among  yourselves.  And  when  you  are  thus  en- 
gaged, you  will  be  saved  from  many  temptations ; 
and  you  will  prove  yourselves  to  be  good  disciples 
of  Him  who,  by  his  inspired  apostle,  has  enjoined, 
that  while  we  are  fervent  in  spirit,  we  be  '  not 
slothful  in  business.' 
"  Mij  Children, 

"  Continue  to  respect  and  to  love  your  brother 
and  teacher,  Eleazar  Williams,  and  to  treat  him 
kindly;  for  he  loves  you,  and  is  desirous  to  devote 
himself  to  your  service,  that,  by  God's  grace,  he 
may  be  instrumental  in  making  you  happy  here 
and  hereafter.  It  is  my  wish  that  he  may  remain 
with  you,  and  may  be  your  spiritual  guide  and  in- 
structor. 


224  MKMOIii  OF  Till':  LIFE  (JF  THE 

"  My  Children, 

"  I  rejoice  to  hear  that  your  brethren,  the  Onon- 
dagas,  are  desirous  of  knowing  the  words  of  truth 
and  salvation.  I  hope  you  will  not  complain  if  your 
teacher,  Eleazar  Williams,  sometimes  visits  them, 
to  lead  them  in  that  way  to  eternal  life,  which,  from 
God's  word,  he  has  pointed  out  to  you.  '  Freely  you 
have  received,'  you  should  '  freely  give ;'  and  being 
made  partakers  of  the  grace  of  God  through  Jesus 
Christ,  you  should  be  desirous  that  all  your  red 
brethren  may  enjoy  the  same  precious  gift. 
"  Mij  Children, 

"  It  is  my  purpose,  if  tlie  Lord  will,  to  come  and 
see  you  the  next  summer ;  and  I  hope  to  find  you,  as 
good  Christians,  '  denying  ungodliness  and  worldly 
lusts,'  and  living  '  righteously,  soberly,  and  godly'  in 
the  world.  I  shall  have  you  in  my  heart,  and  shall 
remember  you  in  my  prayers ;  for  you  are  part  of 
my  spiritual  charge,  of  that  flock  for  v/hom  the 
Son  of  God  gave  himself  even  unto  the  death  upon 
the  cross,  and  whom  he  commanded  his  ministers 
to  seek  and  to  gather  into  his  fold,  that  througii 
him  they  might  be  saved  for  ever. 
"  3Iij  Children, 

"  May  God  be  with  you,  and  bless  you. 

"  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART, 

"  Bishop  of  the  Prot.  Epis.  Church  in  the  State  of  New- York." 

From  the  time  that  this  unhappy  people  placed 
themselves  under  the  Bishop's  pastoral  charge,  until 
he  rested  from  his  labours,  he  showed  the  kindest 
solicitude  both  for  their  temporal  and  spiritual  wel- 
fare.    He  visited  them  at  their  settlement — corres- 


RIOHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART. 


225 


ponded  with  tlieir  chiefs  and  their  teacher — acted 
as  their  friend  and  counsellor  in  all  their  difficulties; 
and  when  a  plan  was  proposed  for  the  emigration 
of  part  of  the  tribe  to  Green-Bay,  he  wrote  more 
than  once  in  their  behalf  to  the  Secretary  of  War — 
made  many  judicious  and  useful  suggestions  for 
the  improvement  of  their  condition  ;  and  after  their 
removal  to  that  remote  region,  still  extended  to 
them  his  watchful  and  protecting  care. 

During  this  year.  Bishop  Hobart  published  a 
Charge,  which  had  been  delivered  to  the  clergy  in 
New- York  at  the  opening  of  the  Convention  in  1817, 
and  subsequently  in  the  state  of  Connecticut.  It 
was  entitled  "  The  Corruptions  of  the  Church  of 
Rome  contrasted  with  certain  Protestant  Errors." 
,  The  object  of  it  was  to  show  that  there  was  no 
ground  for  the  vulgar  prejudice  which  is  entertained 
by  many  against  our  Church,  on  account  of  its 
resemblance  in  some  particulars  to  the  Church  of 
Rome ;  to  point  out  in  what  material  respects  they 
differed  from  each  other,  and  to  make  it  appear 
that  we  Iiad  adopted  the  true  medium  between  the 
extravagant  pretensions  of  the  Papacy  on  the  one 
hand,  and  the  unbounded  license  of  private  judg- 
ment on  the  other.  The  whole  subject  is  well 
managed,  but  the  last  point  is  treated  with  so  much 
good  sense,  and  such  just  discrimination,  as  to 
make  it  worthy  of  especial  notice. 

There  was  a  period  when  the  decrees  of  eccle- 
siastical councils  were  received  as  the  infallible 
decisions  of  truth;  when  it  was  supposed  that  they 
were  directed  by  the  unerring  Spirit  which  presided 
in  the  assembly  of  the  iiispired  apostles,  and  were 

29 


226  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

therefore  entitled  to  the  same  implicit  reverence  as 
the  oracles  of  the  living  God.  These  pretensions 
were  too  impious  and  absurd  to  receive  general 
credit,  except  in  an  ignorant  and  superstitious  age. 
But  when,  at  a  more  enlightened  period,  their 
fallacy  was  discovered,  it  was  likewise  found  that 
the  rejection  of  error  did  not  always  lead  to  the 
adoption  of  truth. 

"  The  throne  of  infallibility,  from  which  one  oracle 
was  displaced,  was  usurped  by  another ;  and  private 
judgment,  renouncing  all  that  the  wisdom  of  ages 
had  sanctioned,  all  regard  to  the  voice  of  the  Church 
catholic,  not  in  the  restricted  sense  in  which  the 
Church  of  Rome  claims  that  title,  but  in  its  exten- 
sion, semper,  uhique,  apud  omnes,  always,  every 
where,  among  all,  claimed  for  itself  almost  all  the 
prerogatives  of  Papal  infallibility.  Hence  we  have 
seen,  and  continue  to  see,  any  number  of  Christians 
who  choose  to  associate  together,  and  even  any  in- 
dividual Christian,  claiming  the  right  to  interpret 
the  word  of  God,  and  to  deduce  from  it  the  unerring 
articles  of  doctrine,  without  any  regard  to  the  faith 
of  the  universal  Church,  which  constitutes  the  best 
exposition  of  the  sacred  volume. 

"  God  forbid,  my  brethren,  that  I  should  say  aught 
against  the  right  of  private  judgment  in  matters  of 
religion,  when  properly  exercised.  The  doctrine 
that  every  man,  being  individually  responsible  to  his 
Maker  and  Judge,  must,  in  all  those  concerns  that 
affect  his  spiritual  and  eternal  welfare,  act  according 
to  the  dictates  of  his  conscience,  is  that  cardinal 
principle  of  the  Protestant  faith  which  should  be 
most  soundly  guarded.     But  there  is  a  wide  differ^ 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  227 

ence  between  the  unlimited  and  the  7'estricted  right 
of  private  judgment;  between  each  individual  form- 
ing his  code  of  religious  doctrine,  without  employing 
as  a  light,  amidst  the  innumerable  and  jarring 
opinions  that  perplex  his  researches,  the  faith  of 
the  universal  Church,  as  far  as  he  can  ascertain  it; 
and  the  same  individual,  while  he  claims  the  right, 
which  no  intelligent  creature  can  surrender,  of 
judging  for  himself,  seeking  with  humility  and  with 
deference  that  guidance  which  is  to  be  found  in  the 
faith  of  the  Church  universal.  He  may,  indeed,  fail 
in  his  efforts;  he  must  depend  frequently  on  the 
learning  and  information  of  others;  and  liability  to 
error  is  inseparable  from  our  present  fallen  state. 
But  there  is  much  less  danger  of  error,  when  he 
follows  the  light,  as  far  as  it  is  disclosed  to  him, 
which  has  shone  on  the  Church  universal,  than  when 
he  proudly  violates  that  order  of  Providence  by 
which,  in  the  present  world,  the  less  informed  must, 
in  some  measure,  depend  on  those  more  enlight- 
ened ;  and  takes  for  his  guide,  in  matters  of  religion, 
his  own  judgment,  taste,  and  fancy;  disregarding 
entirely  the  faith  of  the  great  body  of  all  Christians 
in  all  places  and  at  all  times. 

« It  is  on  this  sound  principle,  as  well  as  on  those 
declarations  of  Scripture  which  pronounce  the 
Church  to  be  the  '  pillar  and  ground  of  the  truth,' 
and  which  commands  us  to  '  hear  the  Church,'  that 
our  Church  declares,  in  her  articles,  that  '  the 
Church  is  a  witness  and  keeper  of  holy  writ,'  and 
has  '  authority  in  controversies  of  faith.'  " 

After  having  pointed  out  the  errors  into  which  so 
large  a  portion  of  the  Christian  world  had  fallen,  by 


228  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

the  lofty  and  unwarrantable  pretensions  to  infalli- 
bility and  power  on  the  one  hand,  and  by  a  total 
disregard  and  contempt  for  the  practice  and  autho- 
rity of  the  Cliurch  universal  on  the  other ;  and 
showing  the  conformity  of  our  own  communion  to 
tha  pattern  of  the  Primitive  Church  ;  the  Bishop 
then  boldly  meets  the  popular  objection  of  our 
Protestant  brethren,  which  is  such  a  hinderance  to 
the  adoption  of  the  truth. 

"  What  though  it  may  be  said,  that  these  princi- 
ples would  limit  the  communion  of  the  Church  to  a 
small  proportion  of  professing  Christians,  and  place 
in  a  state  of  schism  a  large  number  of  the  Christian 
family  1  If  these  principles  be  true,  their  obliga- 
tion cannot  be  weakened,  nor  their  importance 
diminished,  by  the  number,  the  piety,  and  the  zeal  of 
their  opponents.  The  prevalence  of  error  hitherto 
permitted  by  the  counsels  of  an  inscrutable  Provi- 
dence, is  a  trial  of  our  faith,  but  ought  not  to  weaken 
or  subvert  it.  Was  not  the  revelation  of  God's  will 
confined  from  the  beginning  to  a  small  number  of 
the  human  race,  in  the  plains  of  Shinar,  and  in  the 
fields  of  Jordan  ?  Are  not  large  portions  of  the 
globe  still  under  the  dominion  of  the  prince  and 
powers  of  darkness  1  It  is  not  for  man  to  arraign 
the  dominion  of  the  Most  High.  For  purposes  wise 
and  good,  but  inscrutable  by  us,  did  he  not  permit 
heresies  early  to  stain  the  purity  of  the  faith  ]  Was 
there  not  a  period  when  the  divinity  of  his  blessed 
Son  was  doubted  and  denied  by  a  large  portion  of 
the  Christian  world  1  Did  not  the  dark  cloud  of 
Papal  superstition  for  ages  disfigure  and  conceal 
the    primitive    splendour    of  the    Christian    Zionl 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  229 

And  need  we  wonder,  then,  that  the  Sovereign  of       .. 
the  universe  still  permits  heresies  to  corrupt,  and 
schisms  to  distract  the  Christian  family  1     He  will 
finally  do  right.     He  searches  and  mercifully  judges  t^ 

the  purposes  of  the  heart ;  and,  assuredly,  honest 
purity  of  intention,  and  zealous  endeavour  to  know 
and  to  do  his  will,  will  not  fail  of  a  reward  from 
him  who  is  no  respecter  of  persons,  but  is  the 
equal  and  kind  Parent  of  all  the  human  race.  Still 
charity,  though  it  should  always  soften  the  rigid 
features  of  truth,  cannot  change  her  divine  character, 
nor  dispense  with  her  sacred  obligations. 

"  Never,  indeed,  let  us  be  guilty  of  worse  than 
folly,  of  separating  the  means  from  the  end — in 
placing  the  Church,  which  is  to  be  preserved,  and 
to  spread  the  truth,  superior  to  the  truth  itself — 
in  advocating  the  ministry  which  was  constituted 
for  the  salvation  of  the  sheep  of  Christ,  whom  he 
bought  with  his  death,  solely  for  the  sake  of  the 
powers  with  which  it  vests  us,  and  not  for  the  in- 
finitely important  objects  which  are  the  end  of  all 
its  functions  and  its  duties.  Let  us,  then,  provoke 
one  another,  by  kind  counsel,  to  greater  fidelity  in 
proclaiming  to  corrupt  and  sinful  men,  salvation 
through  the  merits,  and  sanctification  through  the 
grace  of  a  divine  Redeemer.  But  they  are  Christ's 
'  sheep.'  In  order  then  that  they  may  hear  the 
voice  of  their  heavenly  Shepherd,  and  be  led  by  his 
grace  in  the  pastures  of  life,  and  beside  the  waters 
of  salvation,  let  us  gather  them,  as  he  has  com- 
manded us,  into  his  fold.  They  are  '  the  congrega- 
tion of  Christ' — let  us  unite  them,  in  his  body,  to 
him  their  divine  Head," 


230  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

In  the  following  year  he  delivered  another  Charge 
on  the  same  subject,  in  which  the  principles  of  the 
Churchman  are  more  fully  stated  and  explained,  in 
contradistinction  to  the  cornjptions  of  the  Church 
of  Rome,  and  to  the  errors  of  certain  Protestant 
sects.  It  was  his  design  in  this,  as  in  the  former 
Charge,  to  show  that  in  defending  the  scriptural 
and  primitive  claims  of  Episcopacy,  we  have  no 
reason  to  fear  the  vulgar  reproach,  that  we  are 
verging  towards  Popery;  and  that  others,  in  retreat- 
ing from  it  as  far  as  possible,  do  not  on  that  account 
approach  nearer  to  the  truth. 

From  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Sprey  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  Birmingha7n,  England,  March  20,  1819. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  SIR, 

"  Some  apology  is  due  to  you  for  the  liberty 
which,  as  a  perfect  stranger,  I  take  in  addressing 
you,  but  I  cannot  resist  the  opportunity  afforded 
me,  of  sending  this  letter  by  a  confidential  friend, 
who  is  on  the  point  of  sailing  for  Philadelphia,  to 
express  the  very  sincere  respect  and  admiration 
which  I  feel  for  your  character,  and  your  exertions 
in  support  of  the  Apostolic  Church,  in  which  you 
hold  so  important  a  station. 

"  It  is  but  common  gratitude  in  me,  who  have 
derived  so  much  benefit  as  well  as  satisfaction  from 
your  labours,  thus  to  return  you  my  thanks;  and  at 
the  same  time  permit  me  to  request  your  accept- 
ance of  the  accompanying  volume,  in  which  I  have  ' 
humbly  endeavoured  to  contribute  my  mite  to  the 
support  and  defence  of  the  truth.  In  the  present 
dangerous  days,  when  the  enemies  of  the  Church 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  231 

are  combining  on  all  sides  against  her,  it  is  highly 
desirable  tliat  she  should  derive  all  possible  benefit 
from  the  associated  labours  of  her  friends  ;  and  it 
would  be  an  event  most  beneficial,  most  desirable, 
could  some  regular  channel  of  communication  be 
opened  between  the  zealous  members  of  your 
Church  and  ours. 

"  On  this  subject  I  believe  my  excellent  friend, 
Mr.  Norris,  of  Hackney,  has  already  addressed  you  ; 
and  I  hope  you  will  allow  an  humble  individual  like 
myself  to  add,  that  I  shall  be  most  happy  in  any 
way  to  further  so  good  a  work. 

*'  Humbly  praying   that  the  great  Head   of  the 
Church   may  pour  down  his  blessings   upon  you, 
and    all  whom   he  has   called  to  bear  rule  in  his 
spiritual  kingdom,  in  every  quarter, 
"  Believe  me.  Right  Rev.  Sir, 

"  Your  very  faithful  and  humble  servant, 

"  J.  H.  SPREY." 

In  1819,  when  the  temporary  connexion  of  Bishop 
Hobart  with  the  Church  in  Connecticut  ceased,  by 
the  election  of  a  person  to  the  Episcopate  of  that 
diocese,  he  received  the  following  letter  of  thanks 
from  the  Convention,  for  his  disinterested  and  faith- 
ful services. 

"  To  the  Right  Rev.  John  Henry  Hobart,  D.  D. 
Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in 
the  Diocese  of  New-  York. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  We  have  the  honour  to  tender  you  the  thanks 
of  the    Convention   of  the    Protestant    Episcopal 


232  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

Church  in  the  Diocese  of  Connecticut,  for  those 
temporary  services  which  are  this  day  terminated 
by  the  consecration  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Brownell  to  the 
Episcopate  of  this  Diocese. 

"  In  performing  this  duty,  you  will  permit  ns  to 
express  the  high  sense  entertained  by  the  Conven- 
tion, by  ourselves,  and  by  the  Church  generally,  of 
the  distinguished  benefits  which  have  resulted  from 
your  provisional  connection  with  the  diocese.  When 
we  reflect  on  the  sacrifices  which  you  made,  and  the 
labours  which  you  incurred,  in  adding  the  care  of  the 
Church  in  this  state  to  the  arduous  duties  which 
devolved  on  you,  in  the  large  and  extensive  diocese 
of  New-York  ;  when  we  consider  that  the  sacrifice 
was  made,  and  these  labours  undertaken,  without 
any  view  to  pecuniary  compensation  ;  and  when  we 
call  to  mind  the  eminent  services  which  you  have 
rendered,  the  new  impulse  which  your  visitations 
have  given  to  our  zeal,  and  the  general  success 
which  has  attended  the  exercise  of  your  Episcopal 
functions — we  feel  bound  to  ofter  to  the  Great  Head 
of  the  Church  and  Supreme  Disposer  of  all  things, 
our  sincere  and  heartfelt  acknowledgment  of  the 
distinguished  blessings  which  he  has  been  pleased 
to  confer  upon  us,  through  the  medium  of  your 
services.  We  shall  ever  cherish  a  grateful  recol- 
lection of  these  services.  And  although  we  are  no 
longer  connected  by  oflicial  ties,  we  indulge  a  hope, 
that  there  may  be  no  diminution  of  the  friendship 
and  affection  which  have  grown  out  of  your  occa- 
sional visitations  among  us. 

"  Accept,  Right  Rev.  and  dear  Sir,  from  ourselves 
personally,  and  from  the  body  in  whose  behalf  we 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  233 

address  you,  the  assurances  of  our  highest  respect; 

and  permit  us  to  add,  that  it  is  with  sentiments  of 

the  most  cordial  esteem,  that  we  bid  you  an  aftec- 

tionate  farewell. 

"  HARRY  CROSWELL, 
"  NATHAN  SMITH, 
"  S.  W.  JOHNSON." 

From  the  Rev.  H.  H.  Norris  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  I  have  now  before  me  two  obliging  letters  of 
yours,  written  within  two  days  of  a  year  after  each 
other;  the  former  conveyed  to  England  by  Mr. 
Berrian,  and  the  latter  by  Mr.  Lawrence.  Mr. 
Berrian  has  probably  told  you  that  he  put  the  letter, 
of  which  he  was  the  bearer,  into  the  post  at  Liver- 
pool, and  (I  conclude)  never  came  to  London,*  so 
that  I  was  disappointed  of  the  pleasure  I  anxiously 
looked  forward  to,  of  giving  you  a  sample,  through 
him,  how  cordially  you  would  be  welcomed  if  your 
great  engagements  on  the  American  Continent 
would  admit  of  your  visiting  this  country.  The 
same  fatality  has  hitherto  attended  your  second 
confidential  representative.  He  forwarded  the  case 
of  books  to  Hackney,  and  announced  by  letter  his 
having  despatched  it;  and  I  had  the  mortification  to 
learn  by  it,  that  I  had  actually  been  at  Liverpool  at 
the  time  he  was  addressing  me  from  thence.  *  *  *. 
The  books  with  which  you  have  favoured  me,  in 


*  I  called  on  Mr.  Norris,  but  he  was  at  that  time,  I  believe, 
absent  on  his  usual  summer's  excursion. 

30 


284  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

some  measure  conveyed  the  information  which  I 
looked  for  frotn  your  own  pen,  and  they  may  be 
pleaded  with  unanswerable  evidence  as  an  excuse 
for  your  not  using  it  more  punctually  to  your  cor- 
respondents. I  rejoice  to  see  the  Church  of  Christ, 
with  no  other  aid  but  its  own  spiritual  energies,  so 
efficiently  answering  nil  those  great  purposes  for 
which  it  was  constituted  by  its  Divine  Founder.  I 
survey,  with  especial  delight,  the  American  edition 
of  our  Family  Bible  made  your  own  by  the  additional 
notes  interspersed  among  those  of  the  English 
edition.  You  have  done  us  the  honour  of  making 
no  erasures,  but  need  not,  I  think,  have  been  so 
scrupulous.  The  work  is  equally  capable  of  im- 
provement by  omission  as  well  as  insertion.  It 
commenced  upon  the  spur  of  the  occasion,  and  cir- 
cumstances did  not  allow  of  that  extensive  research 
and  deliberation  which,  had  the  completeness  of 
the  work  been  the  only  object  in  view,  ought  to 
have  been  a  previous  labour,  before  the  compilation 
had  been  entered  upon.  *  *  *.  I  hope  you  will  be 
more  copious  in  your  additional  notes  when  you 
come  to  the  Gospels,  as  there  I  think  we  are  par- 
ticularly scanty  and  superficial.  Some  of  the  old 
English  divines  might  be  well  exchanged  for  the 
modern.  I  rejoice  to  see  also  that  you  have  bodies 
of  young  men  incorporated  in  your  religious  socie- 
ties, and  that  in  these  societies  the  genuine  Christian 
principles  are  so  well  defined  and  supported,  that 
your  Church  is  spreading  together  witii  the  spread 
of  your  population,  and  that  so  much  zeal  is  called 
forth  in  the  prosecution  of  all  these  important 
objects;  but,  above  all,  I  rejoice  in  your  Convention, 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOIJAUT.  235 

and  in  the  wisdom  which  governs  all  its  delibera- 
tions. *  *  *. 

"  You  will  expect  to  hear  from  me  what  our 
present  circumstances  and  exertions  are.  Alas! 
our  great  grievance  is,  that  we  iiave  not,  like  you, 
a  Convention.  Our  Convocation  is  only  the  page- 
antry of  what  formerly  so  materially  contributed  to 
the  purity  and  consolidation  of  the  Church.  *  *  *. 
Our  newspaper  details  of  the  last  year,  read  at  the 
distance  you  read  tlicm,  and  without  that  practical 
knowledge  which  a  residence  amongst  us  only  can 
aftbrd,  must  convey  to  you  frightful  ideas  of  the 
state  of  our  country,  as  well  religious  as  political. 
I  would  not  be  understood  as  intending  altogether 
to  dispel  those  ideas,  but  only  to  qualify  them  with 
others  calculated  to  throw  in  gleams  of  hope  into 
the  gloominess  of  your  almost  necessary  conclu- 
sions. It  is  probably  true  that  infidelity  has  been 
most  extensively  propagated,  and  with  too  abundant 
success  among  the  lower  orders,  especially  in  our 
thickly  peopled  manufacturing  districts;  and  that 
they  have  been  bereft  of  all  hopes  and  fears  of  an 
hereafter,  that  they  might  be  let  loose  from  all 
moral  restraint,  and  be  prepared  for  those  desperate 
acts  of  violence  which  their  seducers  must  find 
hands  to  perpetrate.  But  tiiere  is  amongst  us  what 
has  been  very  happily  described  as  the  quiet  good 
sense  of  Englishmen,  which,  without  showing  itself, 
still  retains  a  mighty  influence,  and  diffuses  its 
correctives  in  streams  as  copious  and  as  diffusive 
in  their  currents  as  those  in  which  the  poison 
flows. 

"  Our  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge 


236  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

has  been  gradually  advancing  itself  in  power  and 
influence,  as  the  sons  of  confusion  have  been  spread- 
ing their  seductions  ;  and  when  I  tell  you  that  we 
put  in  circulation,  in  the  year  ending  at  our  last 
audit,  upwards  of  one  million  four  hundred  thousand 
Bibles,  Prayer  Books,  and  religious  tracts,  by  much 
the  larger  portion  dispersed  at  home,  you  will  at 
once  see  how  powerful  an   antidote  is  in  regular  ' 
diurnal    application    against    all   the   evil   working 
among  us.     But  you  are  not  yet  in  possession  of 
all  the  criteria  for  judging  of  the  corrective  influence 
of  our  society.     The  extraordinary  eruptions  of  the 
last  year  seemed  to  require  an  antidote  peculiar  to 
themselves.     The  society  felt  this  ;  a  special  com- 
mittee was  formed  for  the  counteraction  of  infidel 
publications,  and  the  public  were  invited  to  supply 
the  necessary  funds;  upwards  of  £6,000  have  been 
subscribed,  and  about  thirty  anti-infidel  tracts,  espe- 
cially levelled  to  the  capacities  of  the  lower  orders, 
have  been  composed,  and  upwards  of  five  hundred 
thousand    of  them    distributed.     And   in   order   to 
provide  the  means  of  permanent  counteraction,  we 
passed  a  vote  on  Tuesday  last,  to  provide  every 
parish  in  the  kingdom,  upon  the  application  of  its 
pastor,  with  a  parochial  lending  library,  composed 
of  such  of  the  books  upon  our  catalogue  as  he  shall 
deem  adapted  to  the  capacity  and  circumstances  of 
his  flock.     These  are  internal  arrangements,  which 
do  not  come  before  those  living  in  distant  regions, 
and  unconnected  with  us,  but  which  are  very  material 
to  the  taking  a  true  estimate  of  our  circumstances 
and  condition.     It  is  true  that,  during  the  tremen- 
dous convulsions  occasioned  by  the  French  revolu- 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  237 

tion,  the  attention  of  government  was  engrossed  by 
the  dangers  menacing  us  from  without,  and  had  no 
leisure  to  exercise  domestic  vigilance.  It  is  trua 
that  a  sort  of  generalized  religion  has  been  diffused 
very  extensively,  but  sound  Churchmanship,  as  well 
in  faith  as  discipline,  has  had  a  stimulus  given  to  it 
by  these  defections.  The  battle  between  faith  and 
indifference,  and  unity  and  amalgamation,  has  been 
well  fought;  and  as  far  as  rational  conviction  goes, 
the  former,  in  both  instances,  have  triumphed  over 
their  assailants;  and  most  certainly  the  present  and 
the  rising  generation  have  been  stimulated  by  the 
conflict,  to  acquire  the  ability  to  give  a  much  more 
satisfactory  reason  for  the  faith  that  is  in  them,  than 
the  generation  to  which  they  succeeded. 

"  By  a  parliamentary  grant,  and  by  a  voluntary 
society,  the  deficiency  of  churches  is  progressively 
diminishing;  and  many  of  the  late  appointments  to 
church  dignities   have  been   such    as  would    have 
done  credit  to  any  age  of  the  Church.     Our  uni- 
versities, Oxford  especially,  have  been  repairing  the 
decays  of  discipline  and  of  the  requisite  knowledge 
for  their  degrees,  and  a  competent  knowledge  of 
the  evidences  and  principles  of  Christianity  is  made 
indispensable  to  every  one.    There  is  a  great  deal  of 
lost  ground  to  recover,  and  a  great  deal  of  mischief 
to  be  warded  off  and  neutralized  ;  but  this  conviction 
is   both  forcibly  and   extensively  awakened.     Our 
only  solid  foundation  is  the  making  it  appear  that 
we  are  what  we  profess  to  be,  the  genuine  Church 
of  Christ — that  we  hold  forth  the  true  light,  and 
walk  worthy  of  our  vocation.     This  conviction  is 
operating  widely  amongst  us,  and  there  is  a  growing 


238 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 


interest  taking  in  the  study  of  theology,  and  work- 
men that  need  not  be  ashamed  are  multiplying. 

"  The   propagation    of  Christianity    abroad    is, 
moreover,  engaging  much   of  our   attention;    and 
when  I  tell  you  that  we  have,  during  the  last  year, 
collected  nearly  £50,000  by  a  king's  letter,  and  that 
a  mission  college,  upon  an  extensive  scale,  is  at  this 
time  building  at  Calcutta,  to  be  entirely  under  the 
Bishop's  management,  you  will  be  satisfied  that  the 
Church  is  still  in  possession  of  much  of  the  public 
confidence,  and  is  doing  her  utmost  to  substantiate 
and  increase  her  claim  to  it.     Our  danger  arises 
more   from    the    numbers    than  from    the   present 
influence  and  power  of  the  dissenting  interest.  *  *  *. 
Our  great  defection  is  from  the  shopkeeper  down- 
wards.    The  Churchman  never    inquires  into  the 
religious   persuasion  of  those  to   whom    he    gives 
custom,  but  the  Dissenter  always  does,  and  those 
exclusively  have  his  custom  who  go  with  him  to 
meeting.     Every  art  of  this  description  has  been 
long  in  very  active   operation,   and  that  godliness 
must  prosper  in  the  world  which  has  the  most  gain 
attached  to  it.     But,  after  all,  amidst  the  fluctua- 
tions of  hope  and  fear  for  the  political  ascendency 
of  the  Church,   which  cannot  fail  to  agitate  every 
reflecting  man  as  he   surveys  alternately  what  is 
doing  to  strengthen  the  establishment,    and  what 
to  undermine  it;  still,  as  a  spiritual  body,  the  pros- 
pect most  certainly  is   progressively  brightening ; 
and  if  called  to  suffer,  my  confidence  is,  that  grace 
will  be   given  her   to   witness  a  good  confession, 
and  that  to   those  who   have  eyes  to  see   it,   she 
will  be  more  glorious  under  persecution  than  with 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  239 

the    honours    which    now    constitute    her   earthly 
splendour. 

"  That  you  may  have  some  better  criterion  of 
judging  than  my  report,  I  have  begun  collecting  a 
small  package  of  books  and  papers  for  you,  which  I 
shall  consign  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Lawrence.  I  send 
you,  as  a  present  from  Dr.  Mant,  now  promoted  to 
the  See  of  Killaloe,  in  Ireland,  a  copy  of  his  Family 
Prayer  Book,  compiled  as  a  companion  to  the  So- 
ciety's Bible;  from  Dr.  Kenny,  a  volume  of  his,  on 
the  Principles  and  Practices  of  Reformers  in  Church 
and  State;  from  the  Editors  of  the  Churchman's 
Remembrancer,  all  the  numbers  of  their  monthly 
miscellany,  containing  authentic  intelligence  upon 
all  genuine  Church  concerns ;  from  Archdeacon 
Thomas  I  send  you  his  Charge  ;  and  besides  these, 
a  few  other  theological  works,  as  specimens  of  the 
state  of  religious  opinion,  and  of  the  talent  at  pre- 
sent devoted  to  the  service  of  the  Church;  and  I 
send  you  also  the  Reports  of  our  Church  Societies. 
Some  other  things  may  occur  to  me  before  I  close 
the  packet,  and  I  shall  omit  nothing  which  may 
enable  you  to  take  a  true  estimate  of  us.  You  are 
in  possession  of  my  feelings  and  my  motives.  I 
think  we  ought  to  devise  means  for  acting  as  one 
body,  as  far  as  circumstances  will  permit;  we  are, 
by  divine  right,  one  body,  and  we  ought  to  feel 
this,  and  cultivate  fellowship  with  each  other — that 
communion  of  saints  which  we  all  uniformly  profess 
before  God  as  an  article  of  our  common  faith.  I 
do  not  know  any  thing  which  would  more  promote 
this,  than  if  you  were  to  make  a  visit  to  this  country. 
My  house  would  gladly  greet  you  with  all  its  hos- 


240  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

pitality,  as  long  as  you  would  continue  under  its 
roof;  and  I  think  I  could  accomplish  all  the  intro- 
ductions which  would  be  gratifying  to  you.  Do 
therefore  think  of  this  project,  and  if  local  duties 
will  admit  of  it,  let  me  hear  that  the  proposal  is 
adopted. 

"  I  remain, 

"  With  great  respect  and  affection, 
"  Very  truly  yours, 

"  H.  H.  NORRIS. 

"  Grove-street,  Hackney,  April  18,  1820." 
From  Bishop  Skinner  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

^'Aberdeen,  12th  August,  1820. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  I  gladly  embrace  the  opportunity  of  a  vessel 
going  direct  from  hence  to  New- York,  to  return 
you  personally,  those  thanks  which  I  requested  my 
brother  at  Forfar  to  offer  in  my  name,  for  the  in- 
teresting communications  which  you  had  lately  the 
goodness  to  send  through  his  hands  to  the  Scottish 
Bishops.  They  have  all  been  perused  by  me,  I 
assure  you,  with  singular  satisfaction,  and  with  a 
heart  full  of  pious  affection  towards  our  worthy  and 
zealous  brethren  in  the  American  Church  :  nor  can 
any  one  who  has  sincerely  at  heart  the  interests  of 
pure  and  undefiled  religion,  possibly  view  with  in- 
difference the  rapid  progress  which  the  Gospel  of 
Christ,  in  its  purest  and  most  primitive  form,  is 
making  throughout  the  United  States.  Your  ex- 
ertions in  the  good  cause  have  long  been  known 
and  duly  appreciated  by  the  Church  in  Scotland ; 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  241 

and  nothing  could  afford  greater  pleasure  to  me, 
as  an  humble  individual  of  that  Church,  and  I  may 
safely  venture  to  add,  nothing  could  more  gratify 
the  Episcopal  Church  at  large,  than  having  the 
honour  of  occasionally  corresponding  with  our  ven- 
erable brethren  in  America,  and  mutually  commu- 
nicating what  may  at  any  time  seem  interesting  in 
ecclesiastical  affairs.  *  *  *.  That  your  valuable  life 
may  be  long  preserved  to  the  Christian  Church,  and 
to  that  portion  of  it  in  particular  over  which  you  so 
worthily  preside,  is  the  earnest  and  devout  prayer  of, 
"  Right  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

"  Your  most  faithful  and  affectionate 
"  Brother  in  Christ, 

"  W.  SKINNER," 

In  1820  Bishop  Hobart  addressed  a  Pastoral 
Letter  to  the  Clergy  and  Laity  of  his  diocese,  rela- 
tive to  measures  for  the  theological  education  of 
candidates  for  orders.  From  the  earliest  period  of 
his  ministry  he  had  felt  a  deep  solicitude  on  this 
subject.  It  iiad  at  length  excited  a  degree  of  in- 
terest in  the  Church  at  large.  The  expediency  of 
establishing  a  Theological  Seminary  had  been  re- 
ferred, by  the  General  Convention  in  1814,  to  the 
consideration  of  the  Bishops  in  the  several  dioceses, 
and  to  the  Standing  Committees  in  the  states  where 
there  were  no  Bishops;  and  though  from  a  variety 
of  circumstances  the  season  was  not  altogether  au- 
spicious, yet  in  the  succeeding  Convention  of  1817 
a  committee  was  appointed  for  the  purpose  of 
carrying  the  plan  into  execution.  Some  of  the 
most  respectable  clergymen  of  our  Church  were 

31 


242  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE     "• 

appointed  to  solicit  donations  for  this  important 
object  in  various  sections  of  the  Union,  but  their 
efforts  were  followed  by  no  adequate  results. 
Though  the  experiment  was  unsuccessful,  the  in- 
stitution was,  nevertheless,  organized  ;  and  the  hope 
was  entertained  that  the  next  meeting  of  the  General 
Convention  might  afford  the  means  of  awakening 
the  attention  of  the  members  and  friends  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  to  an  object  so  essen- 
tially connected  with  its  honour  and  prosperity. 
Thus  far  Bishop  Hobart,  as  a  member  of  the  com- 
mittee, interested  himself  sincerely  in  the  establish- 
ment of  the  General  Seminary. 

At  the  General  Convention  of  1820,  the  measure 
was  adopted  of  removing  the  institution  from  New- 
York  to  New-Haven,  in  Connecticut.  This  measure 
could  not  have  been  carried  without  the  co-operation 
of  the  Bishop  and  deputies  from  New- York.  They 
yielded  to  it,  however,  from  the  persuasion  that 
diocesan  institutions  would  ultimately  be  estab- 
lished— that  a  general  institution  would  rather  be 
acquiesced  in  than  cordially  supported — and  thus, 
while  the  principal  part  of  the  funds  of  the  general 
institution  would  be  raised  in  New- York,  that  dio- 
cese might  be  one  of  the  few  which  would  not  have 
a  Theological  Seminary  subject  to  her  own  control. 
The  removal,  therefore,  of  the  General  Seminary 
was  consented  to,  on  their  part,  as  a  measure  of 
conciliation,  it  being  understood,  as  was  supposed, 
that  a  theological  institution  would  be  organized  in 
New- York,  for  which  the  resources  and  contribu- 
tions of  the  Episcopalians  in  that  state  were  to  be 
exclusively  reserved.         ; 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HORART.  243 

After  this  explanation,  Bishop  Hobart  entered 
into  a  consideration  of  the  right  of  every  diocese 
to  make  provision  for  the  theological  education  of 
candidates  for  the  ministry;  the  expediency  of  this 
provision  being  made  by  the  diocese  of  New- York, 
and  the  mode  in  whicii  it  should  be  effected. 
Having  discussed  these  points  in  a  way  which  he 
thought  would  be  satisfactory  to  the  great  body  of 
the  clergy  and  laity,  he  earnestly  urged  upon  them 
the  immediate  formation  of  a  diocesan  seminary, 
and  made  such  suggestions  as  he  supposed  might 
be  useful  in  the  definitive  settlement  of  the  plan  at 
the  approaching  Convention,  in  case  his  proposal 
should  be  adopted.  The  subject  was  brought  up 
in  his  annual  address  to  that  body,  and  while  he 
anxiously  guarded  against  the  suspicion  of  his 
cherishing  any  hostility  to  the  general  institution, 
he  again  set  forth  the  reasons  in  favour  of  the 
establishment  of  one  for  ourselves.  The  extent 
of  our  resources,  arising  from  the  numbers,  the 
respectability,    and    the    wealth   of  the    individual 

embers  of  the  Church — the  munificent  g-ift  of  a 


m 


to' 


generous  individual,  of  sixty  lots  of  ground  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  New-York,  for  the  benefit  of 
a  theological  school — the  faults  in  tiie  organization 
of  the  general  institution,  as  to  the  appointment  of 
trustees,  in  which  no  proportional  regard  was  paid 
to  the  relative  numbers  of  the  Episcopalians  of  the 
several  dioceses,  nor  to  the  amount  of  thoir  contri- 
butions, and  in  consequence  of  which  our  own 
would  be  deprived  of  her  just  degree  of  influence 
and  control ;  all  these  considerations  seemed  to 
make  it  a  duty  to  adopt  a  measure  which  was  so 


244  .      MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

vitally  connected  with  the  prosperity  and  honour 
of  the  Church  in  this  extensive  diocese.  These 
reasons  appeared  so  forcible  and  conclusive  to  the 
members  of  the  Convention,  that  the  "  Protestant 
Episcopal  Theological  Education  Society"  was  im- 
mediately established,  and  went  into  operation  the 
following  year. 

The  following  letter  from  Mr.  Cornelius  R.  Duffie 
to  Bishop  Hobart,  it  is  thought,  will  be  read  with 
interest  even  by  those  who  were  not  acquainted 
with  the  writer,  but  it  will  awaken  in  those  who 
were,  the  tender  recollections  of  one  who,  from  his 
eminent  piety  and  worth,  and  his  unwearied  and 
successful  labours,  was  regarded  with  universal 
esteem,  and  by  a  large  circle  of  friends  with  enthu- 
siastic admiration  and  love. 

'' New- York,  October  10,  1Q21. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  SIR, 

"  I  come  to  give  you  notice  of  my  desire  to  pre- 
sent myself  as  a  candidate  for  holy  orders,  and  of 
my  readiness  to  enter  upon  such  preparatory  exer- 
cises as  you  may  appoint. 

"  If  the  time  of  life  at  which  I  have  arrived  is  not 
without  disadvantages,  I  believe  it  has  brought  a 
due  sense  of  the  responsibility  of  the  sacred  office, 
and  of  the  importance  of  deliberating  well  before  it 
is  assumed.  1  hope  I  have  not  deceived  myself  in 
judging  of  the  motives  which  govern  me ;  but  lest  I 
may  have  overlooked  any  objection  to  the  reason- 
ableness of  my  intention,  or  to  the  prospect  of  my 
usefulness,  I  submit  my  purpose,  with  entire  defer- 
ence, to  your  consideration  and  revision. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  245 

"  I  cannot,  however,  avoid  perceiving  that  the 
events  of  my  life  for  some  time  past,  and  the  dis- 
positions they  have  produced  in  my  mind,  tend 
strongly  to  point  out  the  path  I  have  chosen;  and 
as  far  as  these  may  be  regarded  as  indications 
proceeding  from  the  Spirit  of  God,  I  am  compelled, 
though  it  be  with  apprehension  and  self-distrust,  to 
allow  their  influence. 

"  A  few  years  of  practical  acquaintance  with  tlie 
world,  by  showing  me  that  fortune  and  the  fairest 
prospects  were  often  vain  and  deceptive,  and  that 
even  success  and  prosperity  were  less  to  be  desired 
than  feared  for  their  tendency  to  make  men  for- 
getful of  themselves,  had  forced  upon  me  a  sober, 
and  perhaps  a  severe  estimate  of  life.  But  that 
last  and  most  overwhelming  of  all  earthly  bereave- 
ments* which  I  have  recently  suffered,  has  made 
me  feel  the  uncertain  tenure  even  of  the  most 
cherished  and  valued  happiness,  and  by  disconnect- 
ing me  in  a  great  measure  from  the  ordinary  motives 
to  exertion,  has  taken  from  me  all  inclination  or 
ability  for  mere  worldly  pursuits. 

"  It  is  now  not  less  necessary  to  my  health  and 
tranquillity,  than  to  my  sense  of  duty,  that  I  should 
place  before  me  some  great  and  useful  object,  in 
the  prosecution  of  which  I  may  occupy  my  time 

•  The  loss  of  his  companion  and  partner  in  life,  who,  from  the 
sweetness  of  her  disposition  and  the  heavenly  frame  of  her  mind, 
was  the  object  of  the  most  pure  and  exalted  affection  during  her 
life,  and  whose  memory  was  cherislied  by  him  with  such  a  tenderness 
and  sacredness  after  her  death,  as  seemed  to  soften  all  his  feelings, 
to  hallow  all  his  thoughts,  and  to  wean  him  completely  and  effectually 
from  that  world  which  he  had  long  before  renounced. 


246  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

and  my  thoughts ;  and  I  am  confirmed  in  believing 
the  one  which  I  have  now  in  view  to  be  that  to 
wliich,  in  the  providence  of  God,  I  am  called,  be- 
cause in  no  other  can  I  be  sure  of  the  permanent 
approbation  of  my  own  mind,  or  find  motives  suffi- 
ciently powerful  to  excite  its  exertions. 

"  If  you,  Right  Rev.  Sir,  shall  approve  my  deci- 
sion, my  former  habits  of  study  will  be  revived  and 
pursued  with  a  diligence  proportioned  to  the  im- 
portance of  their  object;  and  though  I  do  not 
expect  by  these  means  to  escape  from  the  recollec- 
tions which  depress  me,  yet  I  hope  they  will  become 
less  painful  by  being  improved  to  the  same  great 
purpose. 

"  My  highest  wishes  will  be  gratified,  if  I  shall 
be  able  to  fill  up  the  residue  of  my  life  in  the 
conscientious  endeavour  to  incite  all  within  my 
power  to  the  love  and  service  of  Him  who  has 
ever  continued  to  me  the  conviction  and  acknow- 
ledgment of  his  infinite  wisdom  and  goodness; 
and  who  has  made  me  to  see  and  to  know  that  in 
the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  there  is  unfailing  sup- 
port under  all  the  circumstances  of  life,  as  well  as 
abounding  consolation  and  triumph  for  the  mortal 
hour. 

"  I  beg  you  to  excuse  the  detail  of  motives  and 
views  into  which  this  letter  has  extended,  but  which 
I  thought  necessary,  to  enable  you  to  come  to  a 
proper  determination  upon  the  subject  of  it. 
**  With  perfect  respect, 

"I  am,  Right  Rev.  Sir, 

"Your  most  obedient  servant, 

"  CORNELIUS  R.  DUFFIE." 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HO  BART.  247 

Mr.  Duffie  was  verging  towards  middle  age  when 
he  made  his  application  to  be  admitted  as  a  candi- 
date for  orders.     He  had  received  a  liberal  educa- 
tion, and  prepared  himself  for  the  profession  of  the 
law;  he  never,  however,  entered  upon  the  practice 
of  it,  but  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  mer- 
cantile pursuits.     But  he  still   kept  up  his  literary 
habits,  associated  with  his  college  companions,  and 
frequently  employed  his  pen  in  writing  the  annual 
reports  of  our  religious  societies  (of  all  of  which  he 
was  an  active  and  zealous  member),  in  such  a  way 
as  was  equally  creditable  to  his  piety  and  taste.     He 
was  therefore  prepared,  without  any  extraordinary 
effort,  for  the  change  which  he  contemplated  in  his 
habits   and   pursuits.     When  he   entered   into  the 
ministry,  he  was  immediately  surrounded  by  a  num- 
ber of  his  personal  friends,  who  formed  a  small  but 
select    and   interesting  congregation,   harmonizing 
with  him  for  the  most  part,  as  well  in  their  devoted 
attachment  to  sound  Church  principles,  as  in  piety 
and  zeal.     In  a  short  time  the  congregation  was  so 
much  increased  by  his  assiduous  and  faithful  labours, 
as  to  enable  them  to  erect  a  spacious  and  splendid 
edifice,*  which  they  completely  filled;  when,  in  the 
midst  of  his  usefulness,  he  was  suddenly  called  to 
render  an  account  of  his  "  stewardship,"   and  to 
enter,  as  we  doubt  not,  "  into  the  joy  of  his  Lord." 
It  was  my  lot,  as  one  of  his  early  companions,  to 
preach    his  ordination  sermon,   and   within   a  few 
short  years  to  unite  in  the  last  offices  for  him  in  his 
dying  hours,  and  in  the  deep  and  heartfelt  grief  of 

'  ^. :  :  *  St.  Thomas'  Church,  New-York.  ' 


248  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE    \ 

his  parishioners  and  friends  at  this  sudden  termi- 
nation of  his  useful  career. 

A  most  interesting  circumstance  connected  with 
theological  learning  in  our  diocese,  occurred  in  the 
course  of  this  year,  which,  from  the  agency  that 
Bishop  Hobart  had  in  it,  may  very  properly  be 
noticed  in  an  account  of  his  life.  Mr.  Jacob  Sherred, 
one  of  the  Vestrymen  of  Trinity  Church,  who,  by  a 
long  course  of  successful  industry,  had  amassed  a 
considerable  fortune,  and  by  his  unostentatious  but 
abundant  charities  was  constantly  relieving  the  poor 
and  the  needy,  and  drawing  down  upon  him  the 
blessings  of  those  who  were  "  ready  to  perish," 
closed  his  life  by  an  act  of  munificence  which,  we 
trust,  will  be  a  memorial  of  him  throughout  all  suc- 
ceeding generations.  He  was  without  children,  and 
with  the  exception  of  the  pious  and  estimable  lady 
to  whom  he  was  united,  there  were  but  few  who  had 
any  very  pressing  claims  on  his  recollection  and 
kindness.  Bishop  Hobart  regarded  this  as  one  of 
the  cases  where  delicacy  might  be  waved  in  the  ac- 
complishment of  a  great  and  important  object,  and 
he  therefore  urged  him  to  make  a  bequest  to  the 
Theological  Seminary,  which  might  bear  some  pro- 
portion to  his  ample  means.  He  was  the  more  em- 
boldened in  this  application,  because  it  met  with  the 
rare  and  disinterested  support  of  the  person  who 
was  chiefly  concerned  to  prevent  any  diversion  of 
the  fortune  from  its  natural  course.  - 

On  the  day  of  Mr.  Sherred's  death,  or  on  the  fol- 
lowing day,  the  Bishop  was  dining  with  me,  and  his 
mind  naturally  turning  to  this  subject,  he  indulged 
in  a  variety  of  conjectures  as  to  the  amount  of  the 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  ^49 

bequest.  The  modesty  and  silence  of  the  former 
in  regard  to  his  intentions,  made  the  Bishop  some- 
what apprehensive  of  the  result.  "  I  am  afraid," 
he  remarked,  '•'  that  it  may  not  be  more  than  a 
scholarship  or  a  fellowship  ;  but  if  it  should  be  a 
professorship* — I  always  thought  well  of  him — but 
I  shall  then  think  that  he  has  acted  nobly."  The 
Bishop  was  impatient  to  learn  what  had  actually 
been  done,  and  left  the  table  early.  In  a  short  time 
he  returned  almost  breathless  with  haste,  and,  full 
of  gratitude  and  joy,  cried  out,  "  He  has  left  us  half 
his  fortune !"  -  ; 

From  the  great  respectability  and  importance  of 
the  State  of  New- York,  and  the  increasing  number 
and  resources  of  the  Episcopalians  in  it,  Bishop 
Hobart  had  before  been  strongly  disposed  to  favour 
the  establislmient  of  a  diocesan  seminary.  The 
munificent  bequest  of  Mr.  Sherred,  together  with 
the  valuable  grant  of  land  from  Mr.  Clement  C. 
Moore,  which  alTorded  a  beautiful  and  convenient 
site  for  tlie  institution,  rendered  this  at  once  a 
practicable  scheme.  A  regard  to  the  promotion  of 
those  sound  principles  which  he  considered  as 
vitally  connected  with  the  best  interests  of  our 
Church,  increased  his  anxiety  for  this  arrangement. 
But  still,  from  a  spirit  of  conciliation,  he  was  willing 
to  give  up  the  unrivalled  advantages  which,  through 
the  good  providence  of  God,  our  own  diocese  en- 
joyed, and  to  share  them  with  the  Church  at  large. 
The  constitution  of  the  General  Seminary  was  ac- 

*  Twenty  thousand  dollars  were  required  for  the  establishment 
of  a  professorship. 

32 


250  /     MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OP  THE 

cordingly  re-organized  in  such  a  way  as  to  give  a 
just  degree  of  influence  and  control  to  the  several 
dioceses;  and  tlie  institution  was  transferred  from 
Connecticut  to  New- York.  The  magnanimity  of 
his  conduct  on  this  occasion  has  never  perhaps 
been  duly  appreciated  by  those  who  differed  from 
him  in  their  views,  while  the  policy  of  it  was  doubted 
by  some  of  his  friends.  From  the  profound  respect 
which  was  entertained  for  him  by  most  of  the  clergy 
and  laity  of  his  own  diocese,  from  their  general 
accordance  with  his  opinions,  or  their  readiness  to 
acquiesce  in  his  wishes,  an  institution  of  our  own 
would  have  been  in  a  great  measure  subject  to  his 
control.  The  appointments  would  have  been  made 
with  an  exclusive  view  to  the  support  of  the  prin- 
ciples and  policy  which  it  had  been  the  ruling  aim 
of  his  life  to  i)romote — to  the  inviolable  union  of 
evangelical  truth  and  apostolic  order.  But  though 
in  the  new  arrangements  great  influence  was  given 
to  the  diocese  of  New-York  in  the  management  of 
the  General  Seminary,  yet,  if  Bishop  Hobart  had 
attempted  to  act  as  he  undoubtedly  would  have 
done  in  a  diocesan  seminary,  it  would  soon  have 
been  seen  that  this  influence  was  altofrether  im- 
potent.  The  whole  plan  was  formed  in  a  spirit  of 
compromise.  There  might  be  opposition  to  his 
views  in  the  board  of  trustees,  which  he  could  not 
control.  There  might  be  reserve  and  silence  in 
the  faculty  on  points  which  he  himself  would  have 
loudly  proclaimed.  He  had  given  up  what  he  might 
easily  have  retained,  and  never  did  any  man  make 
a  greater  sacrifice  of  his  private  feelings  and  wishes 
for  the  sake  of  general  harmony  and  peace. 


lilGHT  KEV.  JOHN  HENUY   HOBAHT.  251 

During  this  year  also,  a  residuary  legacy  of  con- 
siderable amount  was  left  to  Bisliop  Hobart  by  Mrs. 
Sarah  Stariin,  in  trust,  for  the  purposes  of  promot- 
ing religion  and  learning  in  the  State  of  New- York. 
A  portion  of  it,  agreeably  to  the  will,  was  appro- 
priated   to  the   endowment  of  a    professorship   in 
Geneva  College,  bearing  the  name  of  her  husband, 
and  the  income  of  the  remainder  was  to  be  applied 
in  such  ways  as  the  Bishop  might  deem  most  con- 
ducive to  the  interests  of  our  Church.    This  bequest 
was  likewise  made  in  compliance  with  his  sugges- 
tions and  wislies.     She  was  in  a  great  measure  free 
to  dispose  of  her  fortune  according  to  her  pleasure, 
for  there  was  no   material  interference  with  it  on 
the    score   of  relationship   or  duty.     She   had   no 
children  of  her  own,  and  a  suitable  provision  was 
made  for  an  orphan  whom  she  had  adopted.     Sim- 
ple, prudent,  and  even  economical  in  her  own  habits, 
she  had  always  been  profuse  in  her  bounty  to  others. 
Her  respect   for   the  Bishop   amounted   almost   to 
veneration,  and  her  attachment  for  his  family  was 
truly  maternal.     They  had  received  many  substan- 
tial proofs  of  her  kindness  during  her  life,  and  a 
still  more  important  one  was  furnished  by  a  liberal 
provision  which  she  made  in  their  behalf  in  her 
last  will.     She  wanted  to  carry  this  farther,  and  to 
leave  the  whole  of  the  residuary  legacy,  which  the 
Bishop  had  prevailed  upon  her  to  apply  to  public 
purposes,  for  his  private  benefit;   but  though  she 
pressed  it  upon  him  with  the  greatest  earnestness, 
yet,  with  a  delicacy,  disinterestedness,  and  consis- 
tency which  would  not  perhaps  have  been  shown  by 


252  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

most  men,  he  decidedly  opposed  this  diversion  of  it 
from  its  original  and  laudable  designs.  I  received 
this  account,  shortly  after  her  death,  from  the  Bishop 
himself. 

From  the  Rev.  Henry  H.  Norris  to  Bishop  Ho- 
bart. 

"MY  DEAR  SIR, 

"Your  obliging  favour  reached  me  about  a  week 
ago,  and  this  morning  the  bnlbs  have  all  been 
planted  in  my  garden;  and  should  they  prosper,  of 
which  there  is  every  promise,  I  shall  take  great  de- 
light in  looking  at  them  as  a  sort  of  connecting  link 
between  our  two  divisions  of  the  Catholic  Church, 
and  in  being  reminded  by  them  of  yourself,  whose 
kindness  so  promptly  gratified  my  wishes  to  possess 
them.  I  have  scarcely  any  science  in  this  depart- 
ment of  physicks;  indeed  I  have  no  time  to  do  more 
than  make  the  circuit  of  my  garden  before  I  sit  down 
after  breakfast  to  my  books,  or  go  to  London  to 
attend  upon  committees  ;  but  it  is  still  a  great 
delight  to  me,  and  the  more  so  from  the  circum- 
stance of  my  store  of  plants  being  a  confluence  of 
the  contributions  of  distant  friends.  *  *  *. 

"  1  rejoice  to  hear  that  your  Theological  School 
is  settled  so  much  to  your  satisfaction,  and  I  pray 
God  it  may  prosper,  and  that  you  may  live  to  see  it 
rear  up  a  body  of  clergy  such  as  you  would  wish  to 
see  ministering  in  your  congregations.  Notwith- 
standing the  times,  which  I  am  feeling  very  materi- 
ally with  all  landed  proprietors,  1  shall  most  gladly 
make  my  offering  whenever  you  call  upon  me  for  it ; 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  258 

and  I  wish  I  could  employ  it  as  an  excitement  to 
others  ;  but  there  are  great  calls  upon  us  at  this 
time,  which  will  appeal  in  vain.  *  *  *, 

"  Very  truly  and  affectionately  yours, 

"  H.  H.  NORRIS. 

"February  A,  1822." 

From  the  same  to  the  same. 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR, 

"  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  two  letters 
from  you  in  the  course  of  the  present  year.*  *  *. 
To  both  of  these  I  have  replied,  and  have  been 
expecting  your  list,  that  I  might  put  it  into  my  book- 
seller's hands,  and  complete  the  collection,  so  as  to 
have  shipped  it  during  the  present  season,  which  I 
am  now  fearful  will  not  be  the  case,  as  I  am  just 
about  to  commence  my  summer's  excursion  amongst 
my  friends,  and  shall  not  be  at  home  again  before 
October.  In  my  last  letter  I  told  you  that  I  was 
very  busily  occupied  in  writing  a  letter  to  Lord 
Liverpool  upon  the  subject  of  his  speech,  which  you 
told  me  had  operated  so  mischievously  in  America, 
as  of  course  it  has  done  here.  I  published  that 
letter  on  the  first  of  July,  and  the  same  day  for- 
warded a  copy  to  Mr.  Lawrence,  to  be  transmitted 
to  you,  and  have  since  heard  that  it  was  on  its  way 
to  New- York;  so  I  hope  by  this  time  it  has  nearly 
reached  its  destination.  *  *  *.  The  American 
branch  of  Christ's  holy  Catholic  Church  is  filling 
at  this  time  a  most  important  station  upon  the  earth. 
What  our  future  fortunes  are  to  be,  it  would  be  pre- 
sumptuous to  calculate  upon.     There  is  amongst 


254  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

US  a  large  measure  of  genuine  Christian  zeal  and 
decided  Church  principle,  and  both  are  upon  the 
increase  ;  but  then  there  is  a  tremendous  confedera- 
tion, topped  by  false  brethren,  and  bottomed  by 
Socinians,  who  are  working  incessantly  and  syste- 
matically upon  all  departments  of  the  community. 
*  *  *•  The  specific  object  of  it  is  to  make  schism 
catholic  instead  o^  unity ;  unity  therefore  must  fall, 
unless  those  who  are  its  divinely  appointed  guardians 
cherish  it  with  more  than  ordinary  solicitude,  and 
exercise  an  apostolic  jealousy  in  maintaining  one 
mind  and  one  mouth  amongst  themselves. 

"  Believe  me  to  be, 
"  Very  truly  yours, 

"  H.  H.  NORRIS. 

July  30,  1822." 


ti 


In  the  fall  of  1822  Bishop  Hobart  had  an  attack 
of  bilious  intermittent  fever  at  his  country-seat  in 
New-Jersey,  which  excited  the  utmost  apprehension 
in  the  minds  of  his  people,  and  which  was  the 
precursor  of  that  series  of  attacks  which  gradually 
impaired  his  constitution,  and  finally  occasioned 
his  death.  A  number  of  his  clergy  and  personal 
friends,  as  soon  as  they  heard  of  his  danger,  went 
out  immediately  to  see  him,  as  well  for  the  purpose 
of  testifying  their  affectionate  concern  for  him,  as 
of  rendering  those  kind  and  assiduous  attentions 
which,  in  a  place  of  retirement,  were  so  much 
needed.  As  to  myself,  I  was  in  a  state  of  the  most 
anxious  apprehension  about  the  issue  of  the  disease. 
With  all  my  efforts,  when  I  entered  the  sick  room, 
I  could  not  conceal  my  agitation.   He  himself  how- 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  255 

ever  was  perfectly  calm,  and  with  a  view  of  soothing 
me  he  said,  "  Do  you  think  I  am  afraid  to  diel" 
The  composure,  the  simplicity,  and  dignity  of  that 
scene,  I  shall  never  forget. 

But  though  he  was  so  unmoved  at  the  probable 
approach  of  death  in  his  own  case,  yet  I  remember 
to  have  seen  him  on  one  occasion  overwhelmed  at 
the  prospect  of  this  event  in  regard  to  another. 
Though  naturally  quick  in  his  sensibilities,  he  had 
generally  a  great  mastery  over  his  feelings;  at  any 
rate,  he  did  not  often  exhibit,  even  on  the  most 
melancholy  occasions,  strong  outward  expressions 
of  emotion  and  grief.  But  at  the  time  to  which  I 
allude,  nature  entirely  subdued  him.  I  had  accom- 
panied him  on  a  visit  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bulkley,  at 
Flushing,  on  Long-Island,  who  was  lying  danger- 
ously ill.  This  clergyman  was  a  man  of  humble 
attainments,  but  of  a  sound  mind,  correct  principles, 
and  deep  and  unaffected  piety.  I  never  knew  any 
one  who  surpassed  him  in  meekness  and  lowliness, 
in  simplicity  of  character,  in  purity  of  thought  and 
intention,  or  who  was  more  entirely  free  from  all 
dissimulation  and  guile.  For  these  engaging  quali- 
ties every  body  respected  and  loved  him.  We 
found  him  on  the  very  eve  of  his  departure.  The 
Bishop,  after  a  few  moments'  conversation  with  him 
in  a  calm  and  soothing  strain,  withdrew;  but  no 
sooner  had  he  got  out  of  his  hearing,  than  he  burst 
into  a  flood  of  tears,  and  was  literally  convulsed  by 
the  violence  of  his  grief. 

From  the  Rev.  Henry  H.  Norris  to  Bishop  Ho- 
bart. 


256  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

"  Grove-street,  Hackney,  Feb.  14,  1823. 

"MY  DEAR  SIR,         r 

"  *  *  *.  I  send  you  the  several  Archiepiscopal 
and  Episcopal  Charges  delivered  last  year.  *  *  *. 
The  Bishop  of  London's  Charge,  and  tlie  two  of 
the  Bishop  of  Calcutta,*  are  the  most  worth  your 
perusal.  There  you  will  see  genuine  Christian 
wisdom  exhibited  ;  and  when  you  have  read  the 
latter,  you  will  be  prepared  to  appreciate  the  loss 
which  Christianity  in  general,  and  the  Church  of 
England  in  particular,  have  sustained  by  his  sudden 
and  premature  death.  This  sad  catastrophe  is  the 
most  calamitous  event  that  could  have  befhllen  us; 
his  profoundly  wise  measures  for  the  Christianizing 
of  India  were  rapidly  advancing  towards  maturity, 
and  wanted  his  finisliing  hand.  *  *  *.  I  was  much 
rejoiced  to  see,  by  the  documents  you  sent  me,  that 
a  noble  benefactor  has  enabled  you  to  establish 
your  College  with  such  fair  promise  of  its  being  an 
efficient  nursery  for  your  Church.  I  pray  God  he 
may  be  the  first  of  a  long  line  of  benefactors  to 
sustain  it,  and  extend  its  benefits;  that  you  may  be 
thus  furnished  with  a  succession  of  men  well  ex- 
ercised in  Christian  discipline,  and  well  seasoned 
with  knowledge,  both  human  and  divine,  to  hold 
forth  the  word  of  life  in  the  midst  of  the  present 
Babel  of  error  and  vain  conceit,  and  make  pure  and 
apostolic  Christianity  famous  among  you.  In  this 
country  the  present  omens  are  by  no  means  au- 
spicious. The  policy  of  the  day,  with  respect  to 
religion,  is  precisely  that  of  Gallio — all  restraint,  not 

*  Bishop  Middleton. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  257 

merely  upon  religious  opinion,  but  upon  the  propa- 
gation of  it,  is  to  be  taken  away,  and  God  is  either 
to  be  honoured  or  dishonoured  according  to  the 
private  judgment  or  private  perversity  of  every 
individual.  *  *  *. 

"  Believe  me 

"  Very  truly  yours, 

"  H.  H.  NORRIS." 

Towards  the  close  of  the  summer  Bishop  Hobart, 
feeling  the  need  of  relaxation,  proposed  to  make 
an  excursion  to  Quebec,  and  wished  me  to  accom- 
pany him.  The  weather  was  remarkably  fine,  the 
scenery  throughout  a  great  part  of  the  route,  though 
familiar  to  us  both,  was  too  varied  and  beautiful  to 
be  reviewed  with  indifference,  and  the  latter  part 
of  the  journey  had  all  the  freshness  and  charm  of 
novelty.  The  Bishop,  disencumbered  for  a  while 
of  his  ordinary  cares,  was  placid  and  cheerful,  and 
disposed  to  derive  enjoyment  from  all  the  objects 
around  him.  He  was  peculiarly  interested  when, 
on  crossing  our  own  border,  we  got  at  once  among 
a  people  differing  in  language,  costume,  and  habits, 
from  our  own,  who  appeared  to  be  not  only  con- 
tented and  happy,  but  to  have  all  the  characteristic 
vivacity  and  gaiety  of  the  nation  from  which  they 
had  descended.  I  was  perhaps  still  more  interested, 
as  every  thing  around  me  awakened  the  recollec- 
tions of  France,  through  which  I  had  travelled  a 
few  years  before  with  so  much  pleasure  and  delight. 
The  passage  from  Montreal  down  the  St.  Lawrence 
was  particularly  pleasant,  for  though  the  banks  are 
for  the  most  part  neither  bold  nor  romantic,  yet  the 

33 


258  MEIVIOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE      ' 

rich  verdure  of  the  fields,  the  constant  succession  of 
bright  and  cheerful  villages,  the  varied  form  of  the 
spires  and  towers  of  the  cliurches,  with  which  they 
were  all  adorned,  and  the  neat  and  often  spacious 
rectory  which  usually  adjoined  them,  made  the 
whole  a  very  novel  and  enlivening  scene.  The  sight 
of  these  churches,  in  which  all  worshipped  by  the 
same  ritual,  professed  the  same  faith,  and  were  of 
one  heart  and  one  mind,  made  a  very  pleasing  im- 
pression upon  the  Bishop,  notwithstanding  he  re- 
garded this  unity  in  many  respects  as  merely  an 
agreement  in  error.  It  had  been  the  earnest  endea- 
vour of  his  life,  and  the  prevailing  passion  of  his 
soul,  to  promote  unity  in  the  truth.  He  was  led  into 
a  train  of  beautiful  reflections  upon  this  subject, 
the  substance  of  which,  even  after  the  lapse  of  so 
many  years,  I  distinctly  remember,  though  the  ex- 
pressions are  forgotten. 

The  antique  and  foreign  aspect  of  the  city  of 
Quebec,  so  different  from  the  appearance  of  our 
own  cities,  where  all  is  so  new  and  fresh,  and  for 
ever  changing,  is  a  source  of  amusement  to  every 
one  who  has  not  been  abroad;  and  the  magnificent 
views  which  it  commands  from  its  heights,  can  be 
seen  by  none  who  are  fond  of  nature  in  her  gran- 
deur, without  admiration  and  delight.  We  visited, 
in  company  with  Mr.  M'llvaine,  of  Philadelphia, 
Colonel  Biddle,  of  the  United  States  army,  and 
Colonel  Hunter,  of  the  Royal  Horse-Guards,  the 
Falls  of  Chaudiere  and  the  Falls  of  Montmorency, 
and  enjoyed  in  a  high  degree  both  the  romantic 
beautiesof  these  striking  scenes,  and  the  agreeable 
and  intellectual  society  into  which  it  was  our  hap- 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  259 

piness  to  be  thrown.  Colonel  Hunter,  who  had 
served  under  Lord  Wellington  throughout  the 
Peninsular  war,  had  just  made  an  extensive  tour 
through  our  own  country.  With  taste  and  refine- 
ment, and  a  mind  enlarged  by  foreign  travel,  he  had 
noticed  every  thing  amongst  us  with  such  a  spirit  of 
liberality  and  kindness,  as  was  calculated  at  once 
to  flatter  our  national  pride,  and  to  make  our  brief 
intercourse  with  him  an  occasion  of  sincere  regret 
at  our  parting. 

The  Bishop  received  very  kind  and  respectful 
attentions  from  the  most  distinguished  persons  in 
Quebec,  in  which,  as  the  companion  of  his  journey, 
I  of  course  participated.  During  the  short  time 
which  we  spent  there,  we  dined  with  Lord  Dal- 
housie,  the  Bishop  of  Quebec,  and  Chief  Justice 
Sewell ;  breakfasted  with  Colonel  Harvey,  near  the 
plains  of  Abraham,  and  spent  a  most  agreeable  day 
at  the  country  retreat  of  Dr.  Mills,  the  chaplain  of 
the  forces.  We  saw  less  than  we  wished  of  the 
estimable  Archdeacon,  Dr.  Mountain,  who,  by  a 
serious  accident  which  happened  just  at  that  time, 
was  confined  to  his  house  and  his  bed.  The  Bishop 
was  requested  to  preach  at  the  cathedral  in  the 
morning  of  the  only  Sunday  on  which  we  were 
there,  and  myself  in  the  afternoon. 

But  the  pleasure  of  the  first  part  of  our  excursion 
was  a  singular  contrast  with  the  pain  and  suffering 
of  our  return.  We  set  out  by  land,  and  before  the 
close  of  the  first  day  the  Bishop  was  seized  with  a 
most  violent  bilious  attack,  which  filled  me  with 
anxiety  and  alarm.  We  travelled  in  wretched  ca- 
briolets, which  were  sufliciently  uneasy  vehicles  for 


260  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

those  who  were  well,  but  which  were  agonizing  to 
one  who  was  deadly  sick.  We  had  to  stop  fre- 
quently on  the  road  ;  but,  upon  the  slightest  inter- 
mission of  suffering,  the  Bishop  was  impatient  to 
proceed.  Five  hundred  miles  were  before  us,  and 
each  one  seemed  almost  intolerable.  At  Three 
Rivers,  I  think,  we  got  into  tiie  steam-boat,  which, 
from  its  greater  ease  and  speed,  was  a  sensible 
relief.  Still  there  was  a  considerable  distance  to  be 
travelled  by  land.  At  Whitehall  the  Bishop  was  so 
unwell  that  he  was  unable  to  sit  in  a  carriage,  and  a 
mattress  was  placed  in  it,  on  which  he  laid  till  we 
came  to  Albany.  I  rendered  him  every  attention 
which  sympathy  and  friendship  could  suggest;  but 
when  I  considered  the  value  of  his  health  and  life, 
I  was  almost  overwhelmed  with  the  responsibility 
of  my  temporary  charge.  It  was  this  attack,  from 
which  he  did  not  entirely  recover  after  his  return, 
that  suggested  the  thought  of  his  visit  to  Europe. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Convention  in  1 822,  Bishop 
Hobart,  in  his  annual  address  to  tliat  body,  made 
an  extract  from  an  address  of  Bishop  White,  in 
which  the  latter  endeavours  to  discourage  Episco- 
palians from  uniting  with  other  denominations  of 
Christians  for  religious  purposes,  and  states  the 
reasons  upon  which  his  objection  to  tiiis  union  is 
grounded.  As  the  avowed  friend  of  general  Bible 
Societies,  Bishop  White  did  not  mean  to  apply  his 
remarks  to  these  associations,  but  as  Bishop  Hobart 
thought  his  reasonings  were  no  less  applicable  to 
them  than  lo  others,  he  introduced  them  with  a  view 
of  strengthening  his  opinions  against  all  general 
associations. 


KIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  261 

"  A  Strict  adherence  to  these  principles  and  views, 
stated  with  so  nnnch  interest,  must  indeed  be  con- 
sidered as  *  required  by  the  exigences,  and  even  the 
existence  of  our  Church.'  The  spirit  of  them  seems 
to  me  applicable  to  all  associations  for  religious 
purposes  where  Episcopalians  unite  with  those 
*  severed  from  them  by  diversity  of  worship,  disci- 
pline, or  by  contrariety  in  points  of  doctrine.'  We 
ou-ght  indeed  to  '  treat  every  denomination  in  their 
character  as  a  body  with  respect,  and  the  indivi- 
duals composing  it  with  degrees  of  respect  or  esteem, 
or  of  affection,  in  proportion  to  the  ideas  entertained 
of  their  respective  merits.'  But  a  due  regard  both 
to  principle  and  sound  policy,  and  even  Christian 
harmony,  requires,  in  the  judgment  of  him  who 
addresses  you,  that  we  avoid  intermixture  with  them 
in  efforts  for  religious  purposes;  and  that  for  the 
propagation  of  the  Christian  faith,  by  whatsoever 
particular  mode,  we  associate  only  among  ourselves, 
and  act  exclusively  under  the  guardianship  and  au- 
thority of  our  own  Church.  . 

«'  The  views  founded  on  this  opinion,  the  pro- 
priety of  which  seems  to  me  so  obvious,  which 
originally  influenced  me  with  respect  to  the  union  of 
Episcopalians  with  other  denominations  in  Bible 
societies,  have  gained  strength  by  subsequent  reflec- 
tion and  observation.  These  societies  seem  to  me 
erroneous  in  tiie  jprinci'ple  on  which,  in  order  to 
secure  general  co-operation,  they  are  founded — the 

separatiofi  of  the  Church  from  the  word  of  God 

of  the  sacred  volume  from  the  ministry ,  the  worship, 
and  the  ordinances  which  it  enjoins  as  of  divine  in- 
stitution, and  the  instruments  of  the  propagation 


262  WEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

and  preservation  of  gospel  truth.  As  it  respects 
Churchmen,  the  tende7icy  of  these  societies  has 
appeared  tome  not  less  injurious  than  the  principle 
on  which  they  are  founded  is  erroneous.  They  in- 
culcate tiiat  general  liberality  which  considers  the 
differences  among  Christians  as  non-essential;  and 
they  thus  tend  to  weaken  the  zeal  of  Episcopalians 
in  favour  of  those  distinguisliing  principles  of  their 
Church  which  eminently  entitle  her  to  the  appella- 
tion of  apostolical  and  primitive. 

"  The  success  of  institutions  which  are  erroneous 
in  the  principle  on  which  they  are  founded,  or  in  the 
measures  which  they  adopt,  cannot  vindicate  them, 
except  on  the  maxim,  that  '  the  end  justifies  the 
means.'  Nor  is  this  success  to  be  considered  as 
evidence  of  the  favour  of  lieaven  ;  for  then,  divine 
sanction  would  be  obtained  for  many  heretical  and 
schismatical  sects,  wliich,  at  various  times,  have 
obtained  great  popularity,  and  corrupted  and  rent 
the  Christian  Church. 

"  It  is  a  satisfaction  to  me,  that  in  withholding  my 
support  from  Bible  societies,  I  act  with  those  in  the 
highest  stations  in  the  Church  from  which  we  are 
descended,  and  with  the  great  body  of  its  clergy. 
But  it  is  a  source  of  painful  regret  to  find  myself 
differing  on  this  subject  from  many  of  the  clergy 
and  members  of  our  own  communion  whom  I  greatly 
esteem  and  respect.  I  would  wish  to  guard  against 
the  supposition  of  any  design  on  my  part  to  censure 
those  Episcopalians  who  deem  these  societies  wor- 
thy of  their  support,  and  the  proper  channels  of  their 
pious  munificence.  Among  the  Episcopalians  of 
this  description,  I  recognise,  in  the  president  and 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  263 

acting  vice-president  of  the  American  Bible  Society, 
individuals  who  are  not  for  a  moment  to  be  suspected 
of  acting  from  any  other  principle  than  a  sense  of 
duty,  and  whose  pure  and  elevated  characters  adorn 
the  Church  of  which  they  are  members.  My  object 
is  not  to  censure  others,  but,  in  the  discharge  of  my 
official  duty,  to  state  and  defend  the  principles  on 
which  I  think  Churchmen  should  act  in  their  efforts 
for  the  propagation  of  the  Gospel ;  and  to  ask  for 
those  who  do  act  on  these  principles,  the  credit  of 
an  adiierence  to  the  dictates  of  conscience,  and  an 
exemption  from  the  imputation  of  being  unfriendly 
to  the  distribution  of  the  oracles  of  truth.  No  im- 
putation can  be  more  unjust,  injurious,  or  unkind. 
It  is  not  to  the  distribution  of  the  Bible,  but  to  the 
mode  of  distribution,  that  our  objections  apply.  We 
deem  ourselves  not  warranted  in  sanctioning  what 
appears  to  us  a  departure  from  the  apostolic  mode 
of  propagating  Christianity — in  the  separation  of 
the  sacred  volume  from  the  ministry,  the  ordinances, 
and  the  worship  of  that  mystical  body  which  its 
Divine  Founder  has  constituted  the  mean  and  the 
pledge  of  salvation  to  the  world.  And  we  think 
that  Episcopalians  will  best  preserve  their  attach- 
ment to  the  distinctive  principles  of  their  Apostolic 
Church,  and  thus  best  advance  the  cause  of  primi- 
tive Christianity,  and  most  effectually  avoid  all  col- 
lision with  their  fellow  Christians  who  differ  from 
them,  by  associating  for  all  religious  purposes  only 
among  themselves." 

Nothing  can  be  more  decorous  and  becoming 
than  the  language  of  this  address.  The  sentiments 
were  such  as  any  individual  had  a  right  to  express, 


264  ,  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

without  any  reasonable  ground  of  offence  to  those 
who  might  entertain  different  views,  and  such  as  a 
Bishop  who  attached  great  importance  to  them, 
was  in  his  official  character  bound  to  express.  The 
personal  allusions  were  so  kind,  and  delicate,  and 
respectful,  that  it  might  well  have  been  supposed 
not  even  the  parties  themselves  would  be  hurt  by 
them,  and  of  course  that  no  pain  would  be  given  to 
others. 

But  it  was  otherwise.  The  address  was  made 
the  occasion  of  an  attack  on  the  part  of  an  anony- 
mous writer,  under  the  signature  of  a  Churchman 
of  the  diocese  of  New-York,  in  a  temper  and  style 
which  were  altogether  unsuitable  to  his  own  char- 
acter and  pretensions,  to  the  subject  itself,  and  to 
the  sacredness  and  dignity  of  the  person  assailed. 
It  is  this  spirit  which,  provoking  recrimination,  often 
renders  religious  controversy  so  odious  as  to  indis- 
pose men  to  inquiries  after  the  truth,  and  to  make 
them  prefer  ignorance  and  error  to  discord  and 
strife.  The  time  we  hope  will  come,  when  these 
discussions  will  be  conducted  in  a  better  spirit,  and 
when  the  defence  of  truth  may  be  reconciled  with 
charity  and  peace. 

But  though  no  circumstances  can  altogether  justify 
the  harsh  tone  which  too  commonly  prevails  in  con- 
troversial writings,  yet  if  the  misrepresentations, 
the  fallacies,  the  disingenuousness,  the  indelicacy, 
discourtesy,  and  intolerance  with  which  Bishop 
Hobart  charged  "  a  Churchman  of  the  diocese  of 
New- York,"  in  those  masterly  pieces  signed  "  Cor- 
rector," were,  in  the  main,  fairly  made  out;  and 
such,    so   far  as  I  have    learned,  though    not  the 


UKiHT  REV.  JOILN  ilENUY  HOliAUT.  265 

universal,  was  the  very  general  opinion  of  those 
who  liad  read  the  controversy  ;  then  it  is  not  sur- 
prising that,  under  the  peculiar  provocations,  he 
felt  a  degree  of  honest  indignation  at  this  unpro- 
voked attack,  and  that  he  treated  his  assailant  with 
severity  and  scorn.* 

His  constitution  was  now  so  much  impaired  that 
there  seemed  to  be  no  prospect  of  the  renovation 
of  his  health,  except  from  a  thorough  change  of 
scene,  and  a  long  and  complete  recreation  from  his 
laborious  duties  and  distracting  cares.  Arrange- 
ments were  immediately  made  for  his  departure, 
and  no  one  perhaps  ever  left  Iiis  home  with  so 
many  public  and  private  testimonials  of  affection 
and  concern,  or  with  more  devout  and  earnest 
prayers  for  his  happy  return. 

He  set  sail  on  the  24tii  of  September,  in  the  ship 
Meteor,  Captain  Gardiner,  and  arrived  at  Liverpool 
on  the  29th  of  October. 

J  The  Bishop  kept  a  very  minute  journal  of  all 
those  particulars,  in  regard  to  the  passage,  which 
tend  to  relieve  the  dulness  and  ennui  of  the  sea, 
but  which,  when  unaccompanied  by  dangers  or 
calamities,  are  in  general  not  very  entertaining  to 
the  reader.  The  following  letter,  which  he  wrote 
to  me  a  few  days  after  his  arrival,  contains  a  brief 
account  of  his  voyage. 


*  In  the  heat  of  controversy-,  and  with  a  view  of  strengthening 
his  argument,  the  Bishop  made  some  personal  allusions  to  the  family 
of  "  A  Churchman  of  the  diocese  of  New-York,"  which  I  have 
always  regretted,  and  of  which  it  seems  proper  to  state,  I  entirely 
disapprove. 


266  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

"  Liverpool,  Nov.  1,  1823. 

"MY  DEAR  AND  EXCELLENT  FRIEND, 

"  I  have  thought  of  you  daily — many  times  every 
day  since  I  left  you — with  the  tenderest  affection  ; 
and  I  am  happy  in  the  reflection  that  such  is  the 
feeling  which  you  cherish  for  me. 

"  We  had  scarcely  left  Sandy-Hook  when  we  got 

into  a  more  heavy  sea,  the  Captain  says,  than  he 

ever  experienced  so  soon  after  leaving  the  Hook. 

I  stood  out  longer  than  some  of  the  passengers,  but 

was  finally  compelled  to  yield.     In  thirty-six  hours 

the   sickness   almost  entirely   passed  away,  and   I 

read   and  studied  several   hours  every  day  during 

the  passage,  which  was  a  long  and  a  rough  one ; 

though,  as  it  regards  all  the  terrors  of  the  ocean, 

my  imagination  had  much  heightened  the  reality. 
*  *  * 

• 

"  I  have  recovered  my  strength  surprisingly,  but 
dyspepsia  still  torments  me  as  much  as  ever,  not- 
withstanding my  close  attention  to  my  diet.  I 
shall  set  off"  for  London  on  Tuesday.  Remember 
me  to  all  friends,  and  especially  to  my  brethren  of 
the  clergy,  and  to  my  venerable  friend  Dr.  Harris, 
to  whom  I  will  write  before  I  leave  Liverpool.  The 
sensibility  which  he  and  they  discovered  when  I 
left  them  1  shall  never  forget,  and  it  has  drawn 
them  closer  to  me  than  ever.  To  Jane*  my  most 
cordial  love,  and  believe  that  you  have  the  warm 

affection  of 

"  Your  friend, 

•'  J.  H.  HOBART." 

•  Mrs.  Berrian. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  267 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  Mrs.  Hobart. 

«  Ship  31eteor,  Oct.  30,  1 823. 
"  I  had  hoped  to  have  written  before  this  time  to 
my  beloved  wife,   from    Liverpool.     Our   passage 
from  light  and  contrary  winds,  has  been  unavoidably 
a  long  one.     We  are  now  lying  to,  about  five  or  six 
miles  from  the  Skerries  light-house,  near  Holy-Head, 
which  is  sixty  miles  from  Liverpool.     The  moon  is 
shining  beautifully  in  a  clear  sky,  and   at  daylight 
we  hope  to  take  a  pilot  and  to  see  the  mountains 
in  Wales.    *   '^  *.     I  stopped  writing  and  went  on 
deck  at  half-past  five,  and  found  the  day  had  so  far 
dawned,  as  to  give  a  tolerably  dictinct  view  of  Paris 
Mount,  backof  Point  Linus  light-house,  in  the  island 
of  Anglesea.     I  could  see  with  a  spy-glass  some 
houses,  and  the  hills  cultivated   to  their  summits, 
though  the  land  seemed  poor.     At  sunrise  the  view 
was  delightful.     The  sun  rose  full  orbed  under  a 
heavy  cloud,  in  which  its  beams  were  soon  hid,  but 
not  till  they  had  illumined   some  high   hills  in  the 
fore-ground,  called  the  Table  Hills,  and  cast  a  few 
faint  rays  on  the  far  distant  mountains  of  Caernaer- 
vonshire,  in  Wales.  *  *  *.     As  the  vessel  advanced 
in  her  course,  our  view  became  extended  from  Point 
Linus  light-house  to  the  west,  to  the  hills  of  Den- 
bighshire in  the  east.     Directly  abreast  was  the  bay 
of  Beaumaris,    with  the   high  hills  back  of  Great 
Ormes  and  Little  Ormes'  Head,  and  far  distant  the 
mountains  of  Penmanmaur  and  Penmanbauch  tow- 
ering like  the  Catskill  amidst  heavy  mists.     The 
clouds  that  hung  on  the  summits  of  the  mountains 
which  spread  over  the  horizon,  soon  increased  in 


268  MESrOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

blackness,  and  we  have  now  squalls  and   rain  like 
one  of  our  roughest  March  days.  *  *  *." 

From  the  same  lo  the  same. 

"  Liverpool  harbour,  8  o^clock, 
"  The  ship  is  now  lying  off  Liverpool  harbour,  in 
the  stream.  The  bells  of  the  churches  are  ringing 
most  melodiously,  and  every  now  and  then  the  peals 
of  another  set  of  bells  in  a  church  on  the  opposite 
shore  of  Cheshire  come  delightfully  upon  the  ear, 
cheering  the  silence  and  gloom  of  a  dark  evening 
that  has  succeeded  a  squally  and  unpleasant  day. 
I  hope  to  get  a  better  night's  rest  in  my  berth  than 
I  have  had  since  I  left  New- York.  Instead  of  the 
noise  of  the  waves,  the  whistling  of  the  wind,  and 
the  tossing  of  the  ship,  the  silence  of  the  evening 
is  only  interrupted  by  the  occasional  voices  of  the 
sailors,  or  by  the  delightful  ringing  of  the  bells.  I 
hardly  know  how  to  realize  that  I  am  in  England, 
and  three  thousand  miles  from  my  beloved  family 
and  friends. 

"Friday,  October  St.  I  set  foot  on  English  ground 
yesterday  morning  about  eight  o'clock,  and  was 
soon  conveyed  to  an  excellent  hotel,  called  the 
King's  Arms,  where  I  am  exceedingly  well  accom- 
modated. Mr.  Bolton,  the  friend  of  Mr.  Jonathan 
Ogden,  who  waited  on  me  immediately,  pressed  my 
staying  at  his  house;  but  I  felt  that  at  present  I 
should  be  more  easy  where  I  am  ;  but  have  promised 
him  to  stay  some  days  at  his  house  before  I  leave 
the  country.  I  received  a  great  many  calls  yester- 
day from  those  to  whom  T  had  letters,  and  from 
others.  *  *  *." 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  269 

It  is  delightful  to  perceive  with  what  joy  the 
annunciation  of  Bishop  Hobart's  visit  to  England 
was  received  by  several  of  the  clergymen  with 
whom  he  had  been  in  habits  of  correspondence, 
with  what  cordiality  and  warmth  he  was  welcomed 
there,  and  with  what  marked  and  delicate  attentions 
they  endeavoured  to  make  his  journey  pleasant  and 
comfortable. 

From  the  Rev.  Henry  H.  Norris  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR, 

"  Your  very  welcome  letter  greeted  me  on  my 
arrival  at  home  on  Saturday  evening  last,  and 
enhanced  the  joys  of  returning  to  my  own  fireside, 
after  an  absence  of  eleven  weeks  passed  most 
agreeably,  partly  in  exploring  the  beauties  of  the 
country,  and  partly  in  enjoying  the  hospitality  of 
friends.  I  lament  the  cause  which  brings  you 
hither,  but  the  effect  I  look  forward  to  with  most 
delightful  anticipations ;  and  I  hope  this  will  get  into 
the  hands  of  Mr.  Lawrence  before  your  packet 
reaches  our  shores,  that  it  may  meet  you  on  landing, 
and  assure  you  how  glad  I  shall  be  to  see  you  here, 
and  how  much  pleasure  it  will  afford  me  to  do  all 
in  my  power  to  advance  the  purposes  of  your  visit, 
and  to  testify  that  affection  and  respect  which  is  of 
much  older  date  than  our  epistolary  intercourse, 
and  which  I  have  never  been  able  hitherto  adequately 
to  express.  Let  me  now  chalk  out  for  you  your 
route  to  Hackney.  You  should  be  carried  forward 
in  the  primitive  way,  by  the  Church.  Your  first  start 
from  Liverpool  should  be  to  Birmingham,  where  I 
am  sure  Mr.  Sprey,  whom  I  left  lately,  would  open 


270  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

his  doors  wide  to  receive  you.  I  shall  apprise  him 
of  your  arrival,  and  tell  him  where  he  may  address 
you.  You  should  next  proceed  to  Mr.  Sikes's,  at 
Guilsborough,  who  will,  I  am  sure,  send  his  carriage 
to  Dunchurch,  to  which  one  of  the  Birmingham 
coaches  will  convey  you  in  four  hours  ;  and  from 
thence  you  should  go  to  Archdeacon  Watson's,  at 
Digswell,  your  course  to  which  place  Mr.  Sikes  will 
direct;  and  I  will  arrange  with  the  Archdeacon  for 
your  safe  conduct  from  thence  hither,  when  you 
have  given  these  three  pillars  of  sound  religion  as 
much  time  as  you  can  spare.    *  *  *. 

"  In  anxious  expectation  of  soon  taking  you  by 
the  hand, 

"  I  remain, 
'  "  Very  truly  yours, 

"H.  H.  NORRIS. 

"  Grove-street,  Hackney,  Oct.  13,  1823." 

From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sprey  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  Birmingham,  Oct.  14,  1823. 

"  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  It  is  with  sincere  pleasure  that  I  find,  by  your 
letter  of  the  8th  of  September,  that  we  shall  see 
you  in  England,  and  that  you  will  do  me  the  honour 
of  paying  me  a  visit  here.  I  heartily  wish  that 
impaired  health  was  not  the  immediate  cause  of 
your  voyage ;  but  I  hope  that  the  change  of  air, 
and  the  hearty  welcome  which  you  will  assuredly 
receive  from  the  Church  of  England,  will  produce 
all  the  good  effects  on  your  constitution  which  you 
anticipate.     I  consider  myself  singularly  fortunate 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  UOBART.  271 

in  being  so  situated  as  to  be  one  of  the  first  to  show 
you  how  highly  your  character  and  labours  are 
appreciated  here,  by  every  personal  attention  in  ray 
power.  This  letter  will,  I  hope,  meet  you  on  your 
landing,  and  find  you  able  to  prosecute  your  journey 
inland  as  soon  as  your  Liverpool  friends  will  permit 
you;  and  I  shall  be  anxiously  looking  out  for  a  line 
from  you  to  say  when  we  may  expect  you. 

"  I  heard  this  day  from  Mr.  Norris,  who  is  at 
Hackney,  after  his  summer's  ramble,  and  partakes 
with  me  in  all  the  satisfaction  with  which  I  look 
forward  to  the  opportunity  of  a  personal  acquaint- 
ance with  you.  The  packet  which  you  were  good 
enough  to  send  me  has  arrived  safely;  of  its  con- 
tents we  will  talk  when  I  have  the  pleasure  of 
welcoming  you  here. 

"  Believe  me,  my  dear  Sir, 

"  With  the  truest  esteem  and  respect, 
"  Ever  faithfully  yours, 

"  J.  H.  SPREY." 

A  letter  of  the  same  kind  and  hospitable  character 
was  received  by  Bishop  Hobart,  on  his  arrival,  from 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Sikes. 

From  the  Rev.  Henry  H.  Norris  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR, 

"  I  am  indeed  sorry  that  my  letter,  in  company, 
I  apprehend,  with  several  others,  is  sent  to  tell  your 
family*  what  it  would  have  been  much  more  useful 

*  The  Bishop  not  having  arrived  at  Liverpool  as  soon  as  was 
expected,  these  letters  were  forwarded  to  New- York. 


272  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

you  yourself  should  have  been  informed  of,  that  a 
line  of  posts  was  formed  for  you  at  the  houses  of 
good  and  true  men,  who  would  have  made  you 
welcome  all  the  way  to  London,  and  greatly  light- 
ened the  tediousness  of  your  journey;  but  as  all 
this  is  defeated,  we  must  make  you  what  amends 
we  can,  now  that  you  have  reached  our  metropolis. 
Had  you  informed  me  by  what  Liverpool  coach  you 
travelled,  my  carriage  should  have  been  in  waiting 
for  you ;  but  as  it  is,  I  scarcely  know  what  to  do  but 
to  expect  you  here,  where  Mrs.  Norris  and  myself 
shall  be  most  glad  to  see  you,  and  where  accom- 
modations are  provided  for  your  reception.  *  «  *. 
In  the  very  gratifying  prospect  of  a  speedy  meeting, 
"  I  remain, 

"  Your  affectionate  friend, 

"  H.  H.  NORRIS. 

"  Grove-Street,  Nov.  4,  1823." 

From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sprey  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"Birmingham,  Nov.  4,  1823. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  Though  I  am  in  great  doubt  whether  this  letter 
will  reach  you,  I  am  determined  to  take  the  chance 
of  it,  as  it  is  now  evident  to  me  that  I  have  mistaken 
the  purport  of  yours  of  November  first,  and  I  am 
most  anxious  that  you  should  not  suppose  me  in- 
different to  the  news  of  your  safe  arrival  in  this 
country,  and  the  probability  of  soon  seeing  you. 

"  I  understood  your  letter  to  say  that  you  pur- 
posed to  take  the  coach  for  Birmingham  on  Monday, 
and  with  that  persuasion  we  were  very  anxiously 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOUART.  273 

looking  out  for  you  yesterday  evening,  and  waited 
until  all  the  coaches  had  arrived  before  I  gave  you 
up.  I  cannot  now  suppose  tiiat  Monday  was  the 
day  you  intended,  unless  indeed  it  was  Monday 
next,  in  which  case  this  letter  may  be  in  time  to 
say,  what  the  letter  so  unfortunately  forwarded  to 
America  was  meant  to  say,  how  happy  we  shall  be 
to  see  you  under  our  humble  roof,  and  to  become 
personally  acquainted  with  you. 

"  1  still  hope  to  be  able  to  persuade  you  to  stay 
more  than  one  day  with  us.  After  the  fatigues  of 
a  sea  voyage,  a  long  journey  by  land  to  an  invalid 
cannot  be  very  proper,  without  due  rest  by  the  way  ; 
and  as  we  lie  just  half  v/ay  between  Liverpool  and 
London,  we  hope  you  will  improve  that  circumstance 
into  a  means  of  recruiting  strength  and  health. 

"  Mrs.  Sprey  begs  me  to  say,  that  she  hopes  you 
do  not  travel  alone;  she  has  found  in  a  subscription 
list  at  the  end  of  one  of  the  pamphlets  which  you 
were  so  good  as  to  send  me,  the  name  of  Mrs. 
Hobart,  and  she  thinks  that  you  have  done  as  the 
English  clergy  always  do,  who  travel  in  company 
;  with  their  wives ;  she  therefore  anticipates  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  you  not  alone.  Be  this  as  it 
may,  be  assured,  my  dear  Sir,  that  whether  alone 
or  in  company,  it  will  give  us  the  greatest  satisfac- 
tion to  see  you,  and  the  longer  you  can  stay  with 
us  the  better. 

"  Believe  me, 

"  Very  faithfully  yours, 

"  J.  H.  SPREY. 
I  "  If  there  is  time  between  the  arrival  of  this  and 
Mhe  commencement  of  your  journey,  to  write,  (and 

35 


274  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

a  letter  written  one  day  reaches  me  the  next,)  pray 
say  what  the  name  of  the  coach  is  by  which  you 
travel,  and  when  it  sets  out,  and  my  servant  shall 
meet  you  at  the  inn  and  conduct  you  to  this  house." 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  Mrs.  Hobart. 

"  London,  Nov.  22,  1823. 

"  I  forget,  my  beloved  wife,  whether  I  wrote  to 
you  by  the  last  packet  mentioning  my  arrival  in 
London.  You  cannot  tell  the  emotions  of  delight 
with  which  I  was  filled,  when,  on  seeing  Mr.  Norris, 
he  told  me  he  had  a  letter  for  me,  and  on  finding 
that  it  was  from  you,  dated  the  seventh  of  October. 
God  be  thanked  that  you  and  my  dear  children  are 
well. 

"  Mr.  Norris  had  a  room  and  every  thing  prepared 
for  me;  had  sent  his  carriage  to  meet  me,  (but  it 
missed  me,)  and  it  was  with  extreme  difficulty  that 
I  could  get  oir  from  staying  with  him  entirely,  and 
making  his  house  my  home.  Mr.  Norris  is  one  of 
the  best  of  men,  simple  in  his  manners,  kind, 
tender,  and  affectionate.  I  am  as  intimate  with 
him  as  if  I  had  known  him  all  my  life.  He  lives  in 
a  large  family  mansion,  on  an  estate  of  his  fore- 
fathers, of  about  thirty  acres,  as  near  to  the  thickly 
settled  part  of  London  as  Mr.  Stuyvesant's  is  to 
New-York;  and  his  grounds  and  his  garden  are 
most  beautifully  improved,  with  extensive  walks, 
green-house,  hot- house,  &c.  He  entertains  the  first 
clergy  and  people  in  a  style  of  suitable  elegance, 
having  a  large  fortune,  the  greater  part  of  which  he 
spends  in  pious  and  charitable  purposes;   and  at 


UICIIT  HEV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOIIART.  275 

the  same  time,  having  thus  the  means  of  indulgence 
to  the  extent  of  his  wishes,  he  is  a  most  laborious, 
zealous,  and  faithful  parish  minister,  as  much  so  as 
any  clergyman  in  the  city  of  New- York.  One  day 
I  dined  with  him  with  several  clergymen,  and  he 
left  tiie  company  twice,  once  to  visit  an  afflicted 
family  who  had  lost  a  relative,  and  afterwards  to 
see  a  sick  man.  There  is  no  clergyman  of  greater 
influence  in  all  Church  affairs.  *  *  *. 

"  God  bless  you,  my  dearest  wife  and  children. 
This  letter  will  wish  you,  I  trust,  a  happy  Christ- 
mas. Happy  may  it  be  in  every  sense.  May  that 
blessed  Redeemer  who  took  our  nature  upon  him 
to  redeem  and  save  us,  bo  here  our  guide,  refuge, 
and  defence,  and  leading  us  in  his  service,  bring 
us  all  finally  to  his  heavenly  kingdom ! 

"  Your  ever  affectionate  husband  and  father, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

The  following  letter  to  myself,  which  contains  a 
brief  notice  of  two  distinguished  persons,  will  not 
perhaps  be  uninteresting  to  the  reader. 

"  London,  Nov.  29,  1823. 
*'  I  wrote  to  you,  my  dear  Berrian,  a  day  or  two 
after  I  arrived  at  Liverpool.  I  am  still,  as  you  see, 
in  this  endless  city,  detained  here  partly  by  a  slight 
return  of  my  chills  and  fever,  which  has  now  left 
me,  and  partly  by  Church  matters,  which  have 
troubled  me  not  a  little.  I  am  much  pleased  with 
the  physician  (or  apothecary  as  they  here  call  him,) 
who  has  attended  me,  and  he  advises  my  going 
north  in  ihafin^t  instance.     I  expect,  therefore,  this 


276  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

week  to  go  to  Edinburgh,  and  to  spend  my  Christ- 
mas in  the  Scotch  Episcopal  Church  ;  after  that  I 
shnll  make  all  speed  for  Italy. 

"  I  have  already  made  some  interesting  acquaint- 
ance among  the  clergy  here.  Mr.  Norris  is  more 
than  I  expected,  and  I  was  going  to  say,  all  that  I 
could  possibly  wish.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Coleridge, 
(nephew  of  the  poet,)  the  editor  of  the  Christian 
Remembrancer,  and  the  secretary  of  the  Christian 
Knowledge  Society,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Campbell, 
the  editor  of  the  British  Critic,  are  most  excellent 
men.  The  Bishop  of  London  is,  altogether,  one  of 
the  most  humble,  unaffected,  meek,  and  modest 
men  that  I  ever  met  with  ;  and  his  lady,  what  shall 
I  say  of  her"? — elegant  in  her  person,  artless  in  her 
manners,  yet  truly  dignified,  sensible,  and  pleasing 
in  her  conversation.  They  are  the  most  interesting 
couple  I  ever  met  with.  The  contrast  between 
their  affability  and  humility,  and  the  splendour  of 
the  palace  and  attendants  at  Fulham,  was  very 
striking.  After  dinner  we  passed  into  a  large  room, 
where  were  seated  Mrs.  Howley  and  thirteen  young 
people  from  three  years  of  age  to  fifteen,  healthy 
and  handsome;  two  of  them  her  children,  and  the 
-  rest  the  children  of  her  sister,  Lady  Carrington, 
lately  deceased.     It  was  an  interesting  sight. 

"  I  am  also  exceedingly  pleased  with  the  Bishop 
of  Llandaff,  Dr.  Van  Mildert,  who  is  as  unassuming 
as  the  Bishop  of  London.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Coleridge, 
whom  I  have  mentioned,  called  on  me  one  day,  and 
observed,  that  Mr.  Southey  was  in  the  city,  and 
desirous  of  seeing  me,  and  of  conversing  with  me 
respecting  America,  and  of  course  I  felt  gratified 


niGlIT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOUART.  277 

with  the  opportunity  of  forming  an  acquaintance 
with  him.  He  is  very  unaffected  in  his  manners, 
and  I  was  much  pleased  witli  him.  He  pressed  me 
to  visit  him  at  Keswick.  *  *  *. 

"  Most  affectionately  yours, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  his  eldest  daughter,  Jane 
Chandler  Hobart. 

"  York,  Dec.  9,  1823. 

"  MY  DEAR  DAUGHTERS, 

"  I  have  directed  this  letter  to  Jane,  but  you  are 
to  consider  it  as  addressed  to  both  of  you,  and  to 
convey  to  you  both  my  best  affection  and  my  thanks 
for  your  letters.  I  have  written  to  your  mother, 
or  to  some  one  of  my  friends  in  New- York,  by 
every  packet;  and  by  this  time,  I  conclude,  you 
have  received  the  letters  which  I  wrote  on  my 
arrival  in  Liverpool.  Your  mother  and  my  dear 
family  daily  occupy  my  thoughts.  I  do  not  see 
any  object  which  interests  me,  but  I  wish  that  they 
were  with  me  to  enjoy  it ;  and  in  passing  through 
this  astonishing  country,  something  constantly 
strikes  you,  which  is  a  source  of  gratification. 
Even  at  this  season,  which,  in  this  country,  from 
the  haziness  and  cloudiness  of  the  atmosphere, 
and  the  short  time  that  the  sun  remains  above  the 
horizon,  is  particularly  gloomy — the  fields  present 
a  cheerful  aspect,  and  are  as  verdant  as  they  are 
with  us  in  the  spring.  This  is  owing  to  the  great 
and  constant  moisture  arising  from  the  surround- 
ing sea,  which  corrects    and   moderates  the  cold, 


278  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

which  otherwise,  from  the  higher  northern  latitude, 
would  be  greater  than  with  us.  The  first  day  that 
I  rode  into  the  country  from  Liverpool,  on  my 
way  to  London,  I  seemed  in  a  new  world.  The 
hedges,  not  then  stripped  of  their  leaves,  which 
divided  the  farms  into  numerous  compartments, 
verdant  as  the  finest  meadow  is  with  us  in  the 
richness  of  the  spring;  the  substantial  and  neat 
farm-houses,  with  their  barns  and  other  buildings, 
their  stacks  of  grain  and  hay  arranged  with  a  neat- 
ness of  which  our  country  affords  no  example  ;  the 
large  mansions  of  the  gentry  and  nobility  towering 
in  an  extensive  and  beautiful  lawn  studded  with  the 
stately  oak  and  elm,  among  which  you  sometimes 
perceived  the  deer  roaming ;  and  even  the  humble 
cottage,  with  its  little  court-yard,  sometimes  scarcely 
large  enough  to  turn  in,  fenced  with  a  liedge,  and 
crowded  with  flowers  and  rose  bushes,  the  ever- 
blooming  rose  appearing  as  full  as  the  monthly 
rose  does  with  us  in  the  spring;  the  towns,  with 
their  thickly  arranged  buildings,  which,  from  their 
antique  appearance,  brought  to  my  mind  the  ages 
that  were  past  long  since ;  the  stone  churches, 
with  their  pointed  arched  windows  and  doors,  and 
their  stately  towers,  or  lofty  spires ;  and  the  rude 
hamlets,  with  their  thatched  houses  moss-grown,  and 
which  looked  as  if  they  were  built  centuries  ago, 
with  vines  creeping  along  and  covering  their  stone 
walls  and  concealing  their  Gothic  windows,  partly 
raised  into  their  roofs,  and  the  shrubbery  and  the 
grass-plot  which  almost  invariably  meet  the  eye  : — 
this  was  the  novel  scene  which  struck  me  with 
astonishment  and  delight;  and  if  it  be  thus  in  the 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  279 

autumn  and  winter,  when  the  beauties  of  the  country 
are  departed,  what  must  those  beauties  be  when 
shining  forth  in  the  light,  and  splendour,  and  rich- 
ness of  spring! 

"  London  presented  a  scene  entirely  different. 
A  mass  of  houses  crowded  together,  and  covering 
an  extent  of  ground  six  miles  long,  and  I  think  three 
or  four  broad,  so  full  of  people  that  in  the  principal 
streets  you  are  sometimes  stopped  by  the  crowd; 
rows  of  carriages  often  so  close  together  that  the 
horses  go  on  a  walk,  and  at  times  stand  still.  Here 
again  I  was  lost  in  astonishment.  London,  properly 
so  called,  neither  in  its  public  buildings  nor  its 
private  exhibits  any  thing  superior  to  New- York, 
the  Cathedral  of  St.  Paul's  excepted.  But  the  west 
end,  which  is  called  Westminster,  has  many  streets 
wide  and  straight,  and  distinguished  by  handsome 
buildings;  and  Westminster  Abbey,  externally  and 
internally,  excited  emotions  to  whicii  before  I  was 
a  stranger,  but  which  have  been  exceeded  by  the 
awfully  grand  and  magnificent  Cathedral  of  this 
city.  *  *  *." 

The  similarity  of  the  Scotch  Episcopal  Church  to 
our  own  in  its  separation  from  the  State,  and  in  its 
claims  to  regard  from  its  spiritual  character  alone, 
together  with  the  interesting  fact,  that  the  first 
bishop  of  our  Church  received  his  consecration  from 
the  Episcopal  Church  of  Scotland,  had  created  a 
very  peculiar  and  endearing  relation  between  them. 
The  greeting  of  Bishop  Hobart  therefore,  in  that 
country,  though  it  could  not  be  more  cordial  than  it 
had  been  in  England,  was,  however,  more  universal. 


280  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

He  was  not  only  heartily  welcomed  by  those  with 
whom  he  had  corresponded,  but  with  the  same 
demonstrations  of  joy  by  all. 

From  the  Rev.  John  Skinner  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  Inchgarth,  near  Forfar,  Dec.  19,  1828. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  I  cannot  express  the  mingled  emotions  of 
surprise  and  delight  with  which,  by  a  letter  from 
Aberdeen,  I  learn  that  you  are  actually  among  us, 
and  that  you  mean  to  gratify  the  clergy  of  the  north 
of  Scotland  with  a  visit,  as  you  are  now  gratifying 
our  fathers  and  brethren  in  the  south. 

"  That  my  humble  roof  may  be  honoured  by  such 
a  distinguished  guest  for  at  least  one  day,  is  the 
purpose  of  the  present  letter;  the  nomination  of 
which  Mrs.  Skinner  and  I  will  be  glad  to  obtain, 
in  order  that  nothing  which  can  be  prevented  from 
interfering  may  interfere,  to  deprive  us  of  a  pleasure 
so  truly  gratifying,  and  in  order  also  that  I  may 
summon  to  my  humble  (though  on  such  an  occasion 
joyous)  board,  two  co-presbyters  of  mine  in  this 
neighbourhood,  who  are  equal  admirers  with  myself 
of  Bishop  Hobart's  great  exertions  for  the  mainte- 
nance of  the  '  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.' 

"  My  brother,  in  his  letter  received  by  this  day's 
post,  kindly  invites  me  to  be  your  guide  northward, 
and  God  is  my  witness,  that  on  no  journey  did  I 
ever  contemplate  travelling  with  such  unfeigned 
self-gratulation.  To  me  this  recalls  sensations  of 
a  nature  not  to  be  described,  but  in  which  you  will 
participate  with  me,  when  I  tell  you,  that  I  am  old 
enough  to  remember  Bishop  Seabury's  consecration, 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  281 

and  to  have  been  among  the  first  to  have  received 
his  blessing. 

"  With  sentiments  of  the  most  filial  reverence, 
love,  and  esteem, 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  remain, 
"  Your  truly  faithful,  &c. 

JOHN  SKINNER." 

Extract  from  a  letter  from  Bishop  Low  to  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Walker. 

"  I  almost  envy  you  your  present  happiness,  which 
must  be  great  and  pure.     I  request  that  you  will 
offer  my  best  respects  and  regards  to  the  venerable 
Bishop  of  New- York,  and  say,  that  I  expect,  with 
real  delight,  to  meet  him  either  in  Edinburgh  or  in 
Fife;  in  the  former,  either  before  or  on  his  return 
from  the  north,  or  at  the  priory  here,  which,  though 
shorn  of  all  its  splendour,  I  shall  endeavour  to  make 
as  comfortable  as  I  can.     Should  the  Bishop  take 
me  in  his  way  north,  I  would  accompany  him  to  my 
Lord    Kellie's,    who   you    know   would   be    highly 
gratified  by  a  visit  from  his  reverence,  and  after- 
wards to  St.  Andrew's,  for  the  purpose  of  viewing 
the    melancholy    remains   of  Knoxian    desolation. 
You   must   be   upon  the  watch,   and  give   me  due 
notice,  as  far  as  they  shall  be  known  to  you,  of  the 
Bishop's  intentions  and  motions." 

Extract  of  a  letter  from   Bishop  Jolly  to   the 
same. 


36 


282  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

"Fraserburgh,  Dec,  22,  1823. 

"  MY  DEAREST  REV.  BROTHER, 

"  Your  truly  surprising  letter  gives  such  a  trans- 
porting diversion  to  my  thoughts,  as  more  resembles 
a  pleasing  dream  than  the  expectation  of  a  reality. 
To  meet  the  most  amiable  and  most  excellent 
Bishop  Hobart,  (for  such  is  the  idea  which  his  highly 
valued  writings  have  impressed  of  him  upon  my 
mind,)  I  would  go  to  Edinburgh,  even  at  this  day 
of  the  year;  and  to  make  the  journey  to  Aberdeen, 
could  I  find  no  vehicle,  I  would  set  forward  on  foot, 
although  it  should  cost  me  the  six  days  to  accom- 
plish the  walk. 

"  This  will  impart  to  you  how  I  am  affected  and 
inclined  upon  the  occasion,  as  if  I  expected  to  meet 
Bishop  Seabury  revived,  a  name  I  never  mention 
but  with  the  highest  veneration." 

From  Bishop  Torry  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

Jan,  5,  1824. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  It  is  with  painful  feelings  I  have  to  deplore  the 
circumstances  that  prevent  me  from  enjoying  the 
happiness  of  meeting  you  at  Aberdeen,  which  my 
worthy  colleague  there  had  kindly  invited  me  to  do, 
but  I  beg  to  be  considered  as  bearing  towards  you 
the  warmest  sentiments  of  fraternal  regard. 

"  The  visit  with  which  you  have  honoured  us, 
will  strengthen  the  cords  of  affection  already  sub- 
sisting between  the  American  and  Scottish  Episco- 
pal Churches,  so  similar  in  many  respects,  and  will 
tend  to  enlarge  the  intercourse  between  them  in 


RIGHT  UEV.  JOHN  HEIVRY  HOnAUT.  283 

such  a  way  as  may,  it  is  hoped,  be  not  only  mutually 
gratifying,  but  beneficifil  to  both. 

"  Accept  of  my  warmest  wishes  for  your  health 
and  happiness,  and  the  continued  blessing  of  God 
on  your  official  labours,  and  believe  me  to  be, 
"  Right  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

"  Your  very  affectionate  brother, 
"  And  faithful  servant, 

"  PATRICK  TORRY." 

From  Bishop  Low  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  Priory,  Pittcnwcem,  Dec.  30,  1823. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  I  congratulate  myself  on  your  happy  arrival  in 
Scotland,  and  on  my  expectation  of  having  the  hon- 
our of  a  personal  interview  before  your  departure. 

"  Our  friend,  Mr.  Walker,  of  Edinburgh,  mentions 
your  motions  northward,  and  your  intended  return 
south  by  St.  Andrew's,  where  I  purpose,  please 
God,  to  meet  you,  and  after  viewing  the  curiosities, 
the  antiquities,  and  the  melancholy  remains  of  the 
departed  grandeur  of  that  once  far  famed  archi- 
episcopal  city,  to  accompany  you  to  Cambo,  the 
seat  of  the  venerable  Earl  of  Kellie,  whom  you  will 
find  a  nobleman  of  easy  and  primitive  manners,  and 
a  staunch  friend  of  the  Church. 

"  From  other  friends  I  have  applications  also  for 
the  pleasure  of  your  society,  but  on  that  head  I 
shall  at  present  only  say,  that  the  more  of  your 
time  you  can  spare,  the  greater  will  be  the  compli- 
ment and  the  gratification  to  us  all. 
'  "  If  you  leave  Aberdeen  on  Monday,  the  fifth,  it 


284  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

may  be  the  afternoon  of  Tuesday,  or  the  morning 
of  Wednesday  after,  before  you  can  meet  me  ;  but 
that  I  may  have  some  certain  knowledge  of  your 
motions,  and  of  the  time  that  you  can  afford  to  us 
in  Fife,  I  take  the  liberty  to  request  that  you  would 
write  a  note  by  the  return  of  post,  addressed  to  me 
at  Dr.  Melville's,  St.  Andrew's. 

"  I  beg  the  favour  of  you  to  make  my  best 
remembrance  to  all  my  brethren  whom  you  have 
gone  to  meet  at  Aberdeen ;  and  requesting  your 
prayers  (as  you  have  mine)  for  the  speedy,  complete* 
and  permanent  re-establishment  of  your  health,  I 
have  the  honour  to  remain,  with  sincere  esteem 
and  regard, 

*♦  Right  Rev.  and  dear  Sir,    • 
"  Your  very  faithful 

"  And  very  aftectionate  servant, 

"  DAVID  LOW, 

'•  Bishop  of  Ross  and  Argyle." 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  Mrs.  Hobart. 

"  Ediiiburgh,  Dec.  24,  1823. 

"  MY  DEAREST  WIFE, 

"  I  have  just  finished  my  solitary  dinner,  the 
only  one  which  I  have  eaten  at  the  hotel  where  I 
lodge,  for  this  week  past,  having  dined  out  almost 
every  day  since  I  came  to  this  city,  where  I  arrived 
last  Friday  week.  It  was  by  candle-light,  for  the 
sun  sets  here  a  quarter  before  four  o'clock,  and  it 
is  generally  so  hazy  and  foggy  that  candles  are 
lighted  some  times  before  that  hour.  *  *  ».  Sitting 
by  myself,  my  thoughts  turned  on  my  dear  home 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAUT.  285 

and  family,  on  the  occupations  of  the  day  before 
Christmas-eve,  the  decking  the  rooms  with  ever- 
greens, &-C.  &c.  I  endeavoured  to  see  you  all  as  I 
thought  you  might  be  now  engaged.  While  melan- 
choly thoughts  at  my  distance  from  you  were  steal- 
ing over  me,  a  hand-organ  struck  up  some  plaintive 
Scotch  airs,  the  same  as  those  which  I  have  heard 
played  in  the  streets  at  New- York — I  was  obliged 
to  turn  my  thoughts  to  other  subjects,  or  my  feelings 
would  have  been  too  much  excited  for  my  comfort. 
I  must  indeed  break  off,  by  wishing  you  and  my 
beloved  children  all  the  blessings  of  this  happy 
season;  and  earnestly  do  1  pray,  that  while  they 
indulge  in  temporal  enjoyments,  it  will  be  their 
supreme  aim  to  secure  those  which  are  spiritual 
and  eternal. 

"Your  affectionate  husband, 

"J.  H.  HOBA^RT." 

It  will  doubtless  be  no  less  a  matter  of  surprise 
to  the  public  than  of  unfeigned  regret,  that  a  portion 
of  Bishop  Hobart's  life,  so  replete  with  interest  to 
himself,  as  that  which  he  passed  in  Europe,  must 
in  a  great  measure  be  a  blank  to  others.  He  made 
notes,  indeed,  of  the  objects  on  the  route  with  which 
he  was  struck,  in  every  country  which  he  visited, 
but  they  were,  with  a  few  exceptions,  naked  and 
unfinished  sketches.  While  his  recollections  were 
fresh  and  vivid,  he  himself  might  have  filled  them 
up  in  such  a  way  as  to  form  many  a  delightful 
picture,  but  he  never  found  time  for  it,  and  they 
are  now  therefore  lost  for  ever.  These  notes  were 
for  the  most  part  written  with  a  pencil,   and  are 


286  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

very  often  faded  and  illegible ;  and  even  where  they 
can  be  read  with  ease,  they  are  too  broken  and  im- 
perfect for  publication.  They  are  chiefly  confined 
to  the  general  aspect  of  the  country  through  which 
he  was  passing,  to  its  beautiful  and  romantic  scenery, 
and  to  those  varieties  in  its  modes  of  agriculture,  in 
the  style  of  its  buildings,  and  the  costume  and  man- 
ners of  its  inhabitants,  in  which  it  was  distinguished 
from  our  own.  He  was  a  passionate  admirer  of 
nature  in  all  her  diversified  and  changing  forms. 
He  was  enthusiastically  fond  of  rural  pursuits.  That 
he  dwelt  so  much  then  on  these  things  in  the  notes 
which  he  took,  is  not  surprising  to  those  who  knew 
him.  The  rural  charms,  the  tasteful  improvements, 
and  perfect  cultivation  of  England,  the  rugged 
grandeur  of  Switzerland,  and  the  blending  of  all 
beauty  and  glory  in  the  enchanting  scenes  of  Italy, 
were  a  source  of  exquisite  enjoyment  to  him  ;  and 
many  a  delightful  recollection  of  tiiese  countries 
have  we  called  up  together,  which  had  been  so 
pleasant  to  us  both. 

But  it  is  somewhat  remarkable  that  he  made  no 
memoranda  of  those  things,  in  which  he  was  still 
more  deeply  interested  than  in  nature  itself.  The 
business  of  life,  the  study  of  mankind,  and  the  great 
interests  of  religion,  were  the  objects  which  were 
always  uppermost  in  his  mind.  But  though  he 
mingled  with  the  most  eminent  personages,  contem- 
plated society  under  forms  so  different  from  our 
own,  observed  such  a  variety  of  characters,  and 
heard  so  many  things  which  were  worthy  of  note, 
yet  he  neither  drew  the  portraits  of  those  whom  he 
saw,  nor  left  any  record  of  their  opinions.    Whether 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  287 

he  was  influenced  in  this  by  motives  of  delicacy, 
or  whether  it  arose  out  of  neglect,  it  is  impossible 
to  determine.  Among  his  personal  friends  these 
things  were  the  frequent  and  delightful  theme  of 
his  conversation. 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  Sir  John  Sinclair. 

"  Dec.  31,  1823. 

"  DEAR  SIR, 

"  I  had  left  Edinburgh  the  day  before  that  on 
which  you  and  Lady  Sinclair  honoured  me  with  a 
note  of  invitation  to  dinner,  and  you  favoured  me 
with  a  letter  and  an  accompanying  pamphlet,  and 
the  valuable  present  of  your  Code  of  Healih ;  all 
which  I  found  on  my  return  to  this  place  last  even- 
ing. This  explanation  will  account  to  you  for  my 
apparent  neglect  of  your  favour.  ^ 

"I  had  possessed  myself  of  your  Code  of  Agri- 
culture, which  had  been  re-printed  in  the  United 
States ;  and  shall  value  highly  the  *  Code  of  Health,* 
which  evidently  contains  a  condensed  summary  of 
very  important  information  on  this  subject.  With 
respect  to  the  proposed  *  Code  of  Natural  and 
Revealed  Religion,'  were  I  competent  to  suggest  any 
remarks  worthy  of  your  attention,  the  importance  of 
the  subject  would  require  more  time  than  I  can 
command,  as  I  resume  my  journey  next  Thursday. 
But  it  occurs  to  me  to  suggest,  what  doubtless 
however  has  received  your  consideration,  whether 
there  be  such  a  system  as  natural  religion,  strictly 
so  called,  that  is,  a  system  of  divine  truth  actually 
discovered  by  human  reason.  The  fact  that  there 
was  at  the  first  a  revelation  of  the  being  and  attri- 


288  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

butes  of  God,  which  has  been  handed  down  and 
dispersed  by  written  records  and  by  tradition,  one 
would  tliink  would  decide  this  question  in  the  nega- 
tive. The  arguments  a  priori  and  a  posteriori,  in 
proof  of  the  being  and  attributes  of  God,  so  ably 
discussed  by  Clark  and  others  in  the  sermons  at 
Boyle's  lectures,  serve  to  confirm  the  truths  origin- 
ally revealed ;  but  it  is  questionable  whether  men 
would  have  attained  a  knowledge  of  the  Supreme 
Being,  such  as  natural  religion  now  presents,  by 
any  process  of  their  intellectual  powers,  if  this 
knowledge  had  not  been  originally  revealed.  There 
is  much  ingenious  observation  and  reasoning  on 
this  point,  in  a  treatise  by  an  Irish  writer,  entitled 
*  The  Knowledge  of  Divine  and  Spiritual  Things 
from  Revelation,  not  from  Reason  or  Nature.' 

"  With  my  thanks  for  your  kind  attentions,  and 
with  my  best  compliments  to  Lady  Sinclair  and  the 
family,  I  have  the  honour  to  be, 
"  Very  respectfully, 

"  Your  most  obedient  friend  and  servant, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  myself. 

"  Aberdeefi,  Jan.  8,  ]  824. 

"  MY  DEAR  BERRIAN, 

"  I  have  received  your  welcome  letter  of  November 
last,  and  hope  that  I  shall  find  at  London,  on  my 
return,  (to  which  I  shall  set  off"  to-morrow,)  much 
more  recent  letters  from  New- York. 

"  I  have  passed  nearly  a  week  here  most  delight- 
fully with  Bishop  Skinner  and  one  of  his  venerable 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  289 

colleagues,  who  came  here  for  the  purpose  of  seeing 
me,  Bishop  Jolly,  one  of  the  most  apostolic  and 
primitive  men  I  ever  saw,  and  with  Bishop  Skinner's 
brother,  the  Rev.  John  Skinner,  of  Forfar,  (at  v*?hoso 
house  I  also  was,)  the  author  of  the  Annals  of 
Scottish  Episcopacy.  From  them,  and  from  the 
hospitable  gentlemen  of  the  congregation,  I  have 
received  the  kindest  attentions.  *  *  *. 

"  During  this  season  my  heart  is  with  my  family, 
with  you,  with  my  reverend  brethren,  with  the 
vestry,  with  my  congregations — I  may  say,  with  my 
diocese,  praying  for  every  blessing  on  them. 

"  Yours  most  truly  and  affectionately, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

From  Bishop  Skinner  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  Aherdem,  Jan.  13,  1824. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR. 

"  I  most  gladly  fulfill  my  promise  of  sending  you 
a  letter  of  introduction  to  my  excellent  and  deeply 
learned  friend.  Dr.  Nicol,  the  Regius  Professor  of 
Hebrew  at  Christ  Church,  Oxford,  and  in  him  I  am 
certain  you  will  find  one  most  ready  and  willing  to 
show  you  whatever  is  worthy  of  being  seen,  and  to 
explain  to  you  whatever  you  may  wish  to  know  with 
respect  to  our  system  of  education,  whether  theolo- 
gical or  classical,  in  that  far-famed  university.  I  am 
still  of  opinion  that  next  month  will  be  by  far  the 
best  season  for  your  visiting  Oxford,  as  then  you 
will  find  all  ranks  and  degrees  at  their  posts,  and 
occupied,  as  usual,  in  their  literary  pursuits,  Lent 
term  being  generally  the  busiest  season.    Dr.  Nicol 

37 


290  i  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

must  be  greatly  altered  since  his  elevation,  if  he  be 
not  a  man  much  to  your  mind,  and  much  to  your 
purpose  at  the  same  time,  and  I  shall  feel  greatly 
disappointed  if  he  fail  to  show  you,  in  the  way  most 
agreeable  to  you,  the  attentions  which  you  may  wish. 
We  deeply  lamented  the  very  uncomfortable  day 
on  which  you  left  Aberdeen,  and  sincerely  hope  you 
may  have  felt  no  inconvenience  from  so  unpleasant 
a  journey  as  you  must  have  had  to  Dundee.  I 
shall  be  much  more  anxious  now  to  hear  of  your 
welfare,  after  having  enjoyed  the  pleasure  of  be- 
coming personally  acquainted  with  you,  and  receiv- 
ing ample  and  abundant  confirmation  of  all  those 
pleasing  anticipations  of  your  character  which  I 
had  been  previously  led  to  form,  as  well  from  your 
very  valuable  writings,  as  from  the  concurring 
report  of  all  who  had  seen  you.  I  certainly  shall 
not  soon  forget  the  first  week  of  1824,  but  will 
recur  to  it  with  the  fondest  recollection,  as  em- 
bracing within  its  brief  limits  some  of  my  happiest 
days.  When  you  can  find  leisure  during  your 
travels,  it  will  always  be  a  high  gratification  to  Mrs. 
Skinner  and  me  to  be  informed  of  your  welfare, 
and  to  hear  that  you  continue  to  enjoy  the  many 
novel  scenes  which  must  present  themselves  to  your 
observation.  We  shall  look  forward  with  anxious 
interest  to  your  promised  return  to  Aberdeen  ;  and 
when  we  join  in  the  prayers  of  the  Church  for  the 
preservation  of  all  that  travel  by  land  or  by  water, 
the  Bishop  of  New- York  shall  not  be  forgotten  by  us. 
"My  brother  left  us  on  Friday  morning,  and  was 
fortunate  in  a  day  very  favourable  for  travelling. 
In  visiting  St.  Andrew's,  I  hope  you  found  Bishop 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  291 

Low  in  waiting  for  you,  and  not  disposed  to  be  very 
severe  on  you  for  the  disappointment  of  a  day. 

"  My  wife  and  daughter  beg  earnestly  to  be 
united  with  me  in  every  expression  of  kind  regard 
and  pleasing  remembrance,  and  in  again  offering 
you  my  cordial  thanks  for  your  delightful  visit  to  us; 
(but  O  how  short  it  was !)  and  requesting  a  place 
in  your  prayers,  I  ever  remain,  with  most  sincere 
esteem,  my  dear  Sir, 

"  Your  most  faithful 

''And  warmly  attached  brother, 

"  WM.  SKINNER." 

From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sprey  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

''  Oxford,  Jan.  26,  ia24. 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR, 

**  It  is,  I  assure  you,  a  great  disappointment  to 
me,  to  find  that  I  shall  not  have  the  pleasure  of 
meeting  you  in  Oxford,  and  personally  introducing 
you  to  many  of  my  friends  here,  who  will  be  very 
happy  to  render  you  any  civility  in  their  power. 
I  shall  leave  Oxford  myself  this  morning,  having 
indispensable  public  engagements  in  Birmingham 
to-morrow  ;  but  my  friend.  Dr.  Copleston,  the  Pro- 
vost of  Oriel  College,  has  requested  me  to  write 
to  you  and  say  from  him,  that  it  will  give  him  very 
great  pleasure  to  receive  you  and  show  you  the 
University ;  and  he  hopes  you  will  take  a  bed  at 
his  house  during  your  stay.  He  will  be  in  Oxford 
till  the  end  of  this  week,  but  on  the  following  Mon- 
day he  will  be  necessarily  absent  until  the  Friday 
following.     If  you  can  so  contrive   your  visit  as  to 


292  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

suit  this  arrangement  of  his  time,  he  will,  I  know, 
be  most  happy  to  hear  from  you  that  you  will 
accent  of  his  hospitalities.  And  I  very  much  hope 
that  you  will  also  do  me  the  favour,  if  possible,  of  so 
contriving  your  visit  as  to  fall  in  with  the  Provost's 
time.  He  will  not  be  absent  from  the  University 
at  all  during  the  term,  with  the  exception  of  those 
few  days  from  the  first  to  the  fifth  of  February. 

"  I  am  rejoiced  to  hear  that  you  will  still  allow 
me  to  expect  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  at  Bir- 
mingham before  you  quit  this  country;  it  would 
have  been  a  sensible  mortification  to  me  to  have 
had  no  opportunity  of  showing  how  sincerely  you 
are  respected  and  esteemed  by, 

"  My  dear  Sir, 

"  Yours  very  faithfully, 

"  J.  H.  SPREY." 

From  Bishop  Jebb  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  March  24,  1824. 

"  MY  DEAR  BISHOP, 

"  I  sent  yesterday  from  Mr.  CadelTs,  twelve 
copies  of  my  Sermons  on  Sacred  Literature,  and  of 
Mr.  Forster's  Discourses,  which  I  hope  you  have 
received  ;  ten  copies  of  the  several  books  are  re- 
spectively inscribed  for  the  ten  American  Bishops, 
each  bishop's  parcel  being  separately  made  up. 
There  is  an  eleventh  parcel  directed  to  you,  con- 
taining two  copies  of  each  book;  these  I  beg  you 
will  have  the  kindness  to  cause  to  be  deposited  in 
any  two  public  ecclesiastical  libraries  that  you  may 
think  fit.     Enclosed  is  my  ordination  card.     The 


KIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HEIVKY  HOBART.  29?^ 

course  is  meagre  enough,  but  sufficient  to  try 
whether  candidates  for  orders  have  made  tolerable 
proficiency.     It  may  hereafter  be  extended. 

"  I  wish  you  every  happiness  and  comfort  in  your 
continental  tour,  and  hope  for  the  pleasure  of  again 
meeting  you  early  in  June. 
"  I  an),  my  dear  Bishop, 

"  With  sincere  respect  and  esteem, 
"  Your  faithful  and  obedient  servant, 

"  JOHN  LIMERICK." 

From  the  same  to  the  same. 

''  March '26,  1824. 

"  MY  DEAR  BISHOP, 

"  I  beg  to  return  my  best  thanks  for  your  kind 
and  valuable  present.  Your  volumes  I  shall  read 
with  much  interest,  and  I  trust  not  without  some 
profit.  The  acquaintance  and  friendship  which  have 
commenced  here,  will,  I  am  hopeful,  be  continued 
after  you  have  crossed  the  Atlantic;  and  it  will  at 
all  times  give  me  sincere  pleasure  to  hear  of  the 
progress  and  prosperity  of  the  Episcopal  Church 
in  America. 

"  Had  I  imagined  you  would  remain  in  town  tilL 
to-morrow  morning,  I  should  have  requested  tiie 
favour  of  your  company  that  day  to  meet  a  few 
friends,  whom  I  think  you  would  like  to  see  :  I  hope 
I  am  not  now  too  late. 

"  Any  hints  respecting  my  ordination  course  will 
be  thankfully  received  by, 

"  My  dear  Bishop, 

*'  Yours  very  faithfully, 

'■'  JOHN  LIMERICK." 


294  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  Mrs.  Hobart. 

"Rome,  May  29, 1824. 

"  MY  DEAREST  WIFE, 

"  I  have  seen  a  great  deal  in  a  few  weeks  in  Italy, 
which  almost  every  traveller  considers  it  the  summit 
of  his  ambition  to  visit  and  to  explore.     In  most 
respects  my  expectations  are  realized — in  some  dis- 
appointed.    The  climate  and  the  sky  are  delightful, 
and  the  scenery  unites  in  a  high  degree  the  grand 
and  the  beautiful.     But  this  last  has  to  my  eye  a 
most  cardinal    defect.     It  wants  the  farm   house, 
surrounded  by  out-houses  and  barns,  indicating  an 
industrious  and  happy  yeomanry.     From  the  top  of 
the  Catskill  mountains  I  have  looked  down  at  one 
view  on  one  hundred  or  more  neat  and  higiily  cul- 
tivated farms;  from  the  top  of  the  Appennines  you 
only  discover  walled  towns,  while  the  plains,  rich 
as  they  are  in  verdure,  want  that  variety  and  beauty, 
and    that    moral    charm,   which  are   excited    by   a 
prospect  of  a  similar  description  in  our  own  country. 
In  the  famous  Campania  Felix  around  Naples,  you 
may  travel  a  dozen  miles  and  not  meet  with  a  single 
house.     The  people  live  in  towns,  from  which  they 
go  out  in  the  day  to  cultivate  the  fields.     These 
are   rich    and   fertile,   almost   beyond    description ; 
but  even  here  I  became  tired.     I  passed  for  miles 
and  miles  through  a  succession  of  fields  with  small 
trees,  up  which  twined  the  grape  vines,  which  were 
led  like  net-work  from  one  tree  to  another.     This 
for  a  little  while  was  beautiful,  but  I  often  longed 
for  a  sight  of  some  clover,  and  timothy,  and  grass 
fields,  such  as  at  this  season  render  our  country 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAUT.  295 

SO  pleasant.  Nor  have  they  orchards,  except  of  the 
olive,  which  is  a  very  ugly  tree.  The  verdure  is, 
however,  most  delightful,  and  the  wild  flowers  along 
the  roads  and  in  the  fields  numerous  and  beautiful 
beyond  description.  Sometimes  there  are  planta- 
tions of  the  orange  and  the  lemon.  *  *  *. 

"  You  must  tell  Mr.  Berrian  that  since  I  came  on 
his  route  his  book  has  been  my  constant  companion. 
In  this  city,  from  various  unavoidable  circumstances, 
I  have  seen  but  little ;  but  in  the  kingdom  of  Naples 
I  believe  I  have  gone  beyond  him.  I  made  a  most 
interesting  excursion  through  a  country,  for  a  con- 
siderable distance  more  picturesque  than  any  1 
have  seen,  to  Psestum,  an  ancient  city,  of  which 
nothing  is  left  except  a  few  of  the  gates,  a  small 
portion  of  the  walls,  and  two  large  temples,  and 
another  building,  supposed  to  be  for  civil  purposes, 
which  are  considered  as  the  finest  remains  of 
antiquity  in  Italy.  I  also  visited  twice  the  Camaldoli 
hill  and  hermitage  back  of  Naples,  from  which 
there  is  a  prospect  said  to  be  the  second  in  the 
world.  *  *  *. 

"  Your  aftectionate  husband, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sprey  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  Birmingham,  Aug.  2,  1824. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  Be  assured  that  I  feel  deeply  sensible  of  the 
kindness  which  you  have  always  shown  me  in  con- 
sidering me  as  one  of  those  friends  whom  you  have 
honoured  by  sending  them  copies  of  your  valuable 


296  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

works.  I  received  the  two  volumes  of  your  sermons 
with  great  satisfaction,  convinced  before,  and  now 
rendered  doubly  certain,  by  the  kind  expressions 
contained  in  your  letter  of  the  24th  instant,  that 
neither  the  continual  engagements  nor  the  many 
unfortunate  interruptions  of  your  pleasure  and  com- 
fort, which  have  attended  your  visit  to  this  country, 
would  alter  your  feelings  towards  those  whom 
before  your  arrival  you  had  honoured  with  your 
notice.  I  have  read  some  of  the  sermons  in  your 
two  volumes  with  great  attention  and  pleasure,  and 
hope  soon  to  find  time  to  finish  them.  Surely  they 
aflford  a  sufficient  answer  to  the  adversaries  who 
have  ventured  to  include  you  in  the  calumnious  as- 
persion thrown  out  against  many  of  us  on  this  side 
the  water,  that  no  clergy  preach  the  Gospel  but 
themselves.  But  I  believe  that  the  majority  of  the 
Church  of  England,  (and  in  that  majority  not  a  few 
of  the  wise  and  good  may,  I  hope,  be  included,) 
have  long  ceased  to  require  any  answer  to  that 
calumny.  As  for  others  who  have  long  been  brayed 
in  the  mortar  of  controversy,  and  have  come  out  as 
they  want  in,  to  give  an  answer  to  tiicm  is  a  most 
unprofitable  task.  But  whatever  harm  they  may 
have  done,  or  can  do,  they  have  at  least  produced 
one  effect,  which  is  very  interesting  to  all,  in  that 
they  have  made  us  all  better  acquainted  with  the 
real  sentiments  and  doctrines  of  the  soundest  part  of 
our  sister  Church  in  America,  by  forcing  her  to  speak 
for  herself  through  the  medium  of  her  authorities. 

"  I  look  forward  with  great  pleasure  to  the  chance 
of  seeing  you  here,  and  to  facilitate  this  object  I  now 
write  to  say,  that  we  shall  cortainly  be  stationary 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  297 

here  till  after  the  23cl  of  this  month,  and  probably 
to  the  end  of  it.  Then  all  the  discomforts  of  a  re- 
moval will  begin  to  press  upon  me,  for  the  Bishop 
of  London  wishes  me  to  be  there  in  the  month  of 
October,  and  it  will  take  the  greater  part  of  the  month 
of  September  to  wind  up  my  affairs  here,  and  to 
loosen  the  bonds  of  duties,  both  civil  and  ecclesias- 
tical, which  have  bound  me  to  this  place  for  eleven 
years.  I  am  much  obliged  by  the  flattering  manner 
in  which  you  speak  of  my  preferment.  I  trust  it 
will  place  me  in  a  situation  where  some  good  may 
be  done  ;  and  it  has  been  bestowed  in  a  manner 
which  has  gratified  me  ten  times  more  than  any 
contemplation  of  advantages  which  may  result  from 

the  change. 

"  Hoping  soon  to  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you, 
and  conversing  on  many  subjects  which  I  do  not 
like  to  trust  to  my  pen, 

"  I  remain,  my  dear  Sir, 

"  Yours  most  faithfully  and  affectionately, 

"  J.  H.  SPllEY." 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  Mrs.  Hobart. 

"  Manchester,  Aug.  20,  1 824. 

"  MY  DEAREST  WIFE, 

"  Though  daily  occupied  in  the  many  interesting 
things  which  I  see  in  Iraveiling  through  this  won- 
derful country,  my  ihouglits  almost  hourly  turn  to 
you,  to  my  beloved  family,  and  to  my  home.  And 
sometimes  I  feel  as  if,  without  regard  to  conse- 
quences, I  must  immediately  return  to  them,  and  to 
my  congregations  and  my  diocese,  where  I  have  so 

38 


298  "^  JVIEMOIU  OF  THE  LIFK  OF  THE 

much  to  do.  But  the  very  consideration  of  the 
increased  duties  which  will  then  force  themselves 
upon  me,  occasions  tlie  serious  apprehension,  that 
with  the  discharge  of  them  will  return  the  debility 
and  sickness  which  disqualified  me  for  them,  and 
which  led  to  my  absence.  The  causes  of  my  com- 
plaints are  by  no  means  removed.  Whenever  I  use 
extraordinary  exertions,  and  engage  in  much  thought 
or  mental  labour,  they  assume  more  virulence,  and  I 
sensibly  feel  my  debility.  It  would  seem,  therefore, 
as  if  I  ought  not  to  return  until  I  make  a  longer 
and  more  decisive  effort  to  remove  the  causes  of  my 
complaints,  and  to  renovate  my  constitution ;  and 
yet  again  I  feel  as  if  I  could  not  procrastinate  my 
return.  Travelling  has  lost  much  to  me  of  the 
charm  of  novelty,  and  I  begin  to  be  tired  with  seeing 
so  many  new  objects.  Gladly,  did  my  circumstances, 
and  above  all,  my  sacred  duties,  permit,  would  I 
retire  from  that  perpetual  intercourse  with  the 
world  which  was  never  agreeable  to  me,  and  at  the 
Short  Hills,  in  the  bosom  of  my  family,  heightening 
every  enjoyment  by  the  society  of  my  friends,  which 
gives  such  a  zest  to  them,  be  forgotten  by  the 
world,  and  the  world  forget.  But  these  are  feelings 
which  I  ought  to  suppress  in  gratitude  to  that  Al- 
mighty Being  who,  while  he  has  placed  me,  since 
my  entrance  on  public  life,  in  the  midst  of  trying 
duties  and  cares,  has  solaced  and  supported  me  by 
so  many  comforts  and  privileges,  and  next  to  my 
domestic  bliss,  with  wiiat  is  so  grateful  and  animat- 
ing, the  confidence  and  affection,  as  I  have  reason 
to  suppose,  of  those  among  whom  my  duties  have 
been  discharged.  *  *  *. 


UIGIIT  liEV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAIIT.  299 

*'  I  expect  to  be  in  London  in  two  or  three  weeks, 
when  I  shall  write  to  you  again.  You  and  the  family 
must  write  ns  usual  to  me.  That  God  may  bless 
you  and  them,  is  the  prayer  of 

"  Your  ever  affectionate, 

"J.  H.  HOBART." 

From  the  same  to  the  same.  '. 

"  Amhleside,  Lakes  of  Westmoreland, 

"Aug.  24,  1824. 
"  I  wrote  to  my  dearest  wife  a  few  days  since 
from  Manchester,  but  an  opportunity  unexpectedly 
offering  to  Liverpool,  I  cannot  avoid  writing  a  few 
lines  to  say,  that  I  passed  yesterday  in  company  with 
Mr.  Wordsworth,  one  of  the  celebrated  poets  of  the 
Lakes,  the  most  delightful  day  which  I  have  enjoyed 
since  I  left  home.  More  romantic,  beautiful,  and 
picturesque  scenery  than  tliis  part  of  England  affords 
can  scarcely  be  conceived,  and  a  more  rural  and 
delightful  spot  than  Rydal  Mount,  the  seat  of  Mr. 
Wordsworth,  I  scarcely  ever  saw.  He  devoted  the 
whole  day  to  rambling  with  me  through  the  vales 
and  on  the  sides  of  the  mountains  adjoining  his 
residence,  and  the  only  drawback  was,  that  I  was 
much  more  fatigued  than  I  sliould  have  been  in 
former  times,  when  my  strength  was  greater.  His 
conversation,  as  you  may  suppose,  was  highly  in- 
teresting, and  his  manners,  and  those  of  his  family, 
were  marked  by  the  utmost  simplicity  and  kindness. 
The  views  from  his  house  and  the  grounds  adjacent 
have  almost  all  the  characteristics  of  beauty  and 
sublimity,  softness  and  ruggedness,  in  strong  con- 


SOO  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

trast.  When  I  said  there  was  only  one  drawback 
on  my  enjoyments,  I  was  wrong.  There  was  an- 
other much  greater — the  absence  of  my  beloved 
family.  This  solitary  enjoyment  is  not  according 
to  my  feelings.  *  *  *. 

"  In  a  few  minutes  I  set  off  for  Keswick,  where  I 
expect  to  see  Mr.  Southey,  with  whom  I  formed  an 
acquaintance  last  winter  in  London. 

"  Your  ever  affectionate, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

From  the  Rev.  Dr.  Walker  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  22  Stafford-street,  Edinburgh, 

"  Aug.  30, 1824. 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR, 

"  For  the  last  two  months  I  have  been  very 
anxiously  expecting  to  hear  something  of  your 
motions,  and  I  vi^as  indulging  the  hope  from  day  to 
day,  that  you  might  make  your  appearance  amongst 
us  again  without  warning.  I  received  your  short 
letter  of  the  2d  of  April,  and  about  a  fortnight  after, 
a  copy  of  your  sermons,  for  which  1  now  beg  leave  to 
express  my  sincerest  gratitude.  They  are  eloquent 
and  orthodox.  The  funeral  address  and  dissertation 
strike  me,  particularly  the  former,  as  singularly 
affecting  and  appropriate;  and  the  latter  as  esta- 
blishing your  point  in  the  clearest  manner.  Were 
the  public  guided  by  sober  reason,  these  volumes 
would  completely  answer  the  purpose  which  you 
had  in  view  in  publishing  them.  They  are  a  fair 
specimen  of  your  ordinary  manner  of  preaching,  and 
each  sermon  may  be  termed  a  Gospel  sermon,  in  the 


RI(;HT  RLV.  JOHN   IIENKY  HOBART.  301 

genuine  import  of  the  term.  The  most  important 
truths  are  happily  brought  forward,  and  there  are 
some  specimens  of  able  and  acute  discussion.  But 
the  public  are  not  in  this  respect  guided  by  sober 
reason,  and  forasmuch  as  your  sermons  have  not  the 
peculiar  phraseology  to  which  those  who  assume  the 
exclusive  distinction  of  Evangelical  give  the  name 
of  the  Gospel,  the  calumnies  which  have  been 
circulated  will  still  continue,  though  I  trust  that  the 
publication  will  do  good,  and  that  it  will  attract  the 
attention  of  those  who  may  most  profit  by  it.  *  *  *. 
"  Believe  me  ever,  with  the  greatest  sincerity 
and  respect,  &,c. 

"  Yours, 

"JAMES  WALKER." 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  his  daughters  Jane  and 
Rebecca  Hobart. 

"  Dover,  Sept.  20,  1824. 
"  I  address  this  letter  to  both  of  my  dear  daugh- 
ters. *  *  *.  This  country  is  delightful  on  account 
of  the  general  richness  of  its  cultivation,  the  beauty 
of  its  verdure,  its  lawns,  its  trees,  its  hedges,  and, 
above  all,  the  court-yards  filled  with  flowers  and 
shrubs,  and  its  houses  often  covered  with  ivy  or 
jessamines,  or  some  otiier  creeping  plants.  Its 
majestic  cathedrals  and  its  ruined  castles  give  an 
air  of  solemn  grandeur  to  the  scene,  of  which  we 
can  scarcely  form  an  idea  in  America.  And  yet,  on 
the  whole,  I  prefer  the  scenery  of  my  own  country 
in  many  respects.  We  have  a  greater  number  of 
comfortable  farm  houses,  land  with  us  being  more 


302  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

equally  divided ;  our  rivers  are  larger,  our  ranges 
of  mountains  more  extensive,  and  we  have  woods 
and  forests,  of  which  here  they  have  none.  *  *  *. 

"  That  God  may  bless  my  dear  daughters,  prays 
their 

"  Affectionate  father, 

"J.  H.  HOB  ART." 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  William  H.  Hobart. 

''London,  Sept.  16,  1824. 

"  MY  DEAR  SON, 

"  I  have  thought  much  of  you  at  this  interesting 
period,  when  you  are  about  to  leave  college  and 
choose  a  profession,  and  lament  most  deeply  that 
it  seems  to  be  my  duty,  in  justice  to  my  health,  to 
remain  longer  abroad.  I  could  have  wished  that 
both  of  my  sons  had  embraced  the  clerical  profes- 
sion, which  is  the  best  and  the  happiest  of  all.  But 
if  the  medical  profession  be  your  deliberate  choice, 
I  make  no  objection.  Only  whatever  you  enter  on, 
engfige  in  it  heartily,  remembering  that  your  success 
will  depend  solely  on  your  own  exertions. 

Suppose  that,  before  you  engage  in  study  with 
any  particular  physician,  you  devote  your  time  until 
my  return,  to  the  study  of  the  French  and  of  the 
Italian,  and  of  mineralogy,  chemistry,  and  botany, 
not  neglecting  classical  and  general  reading,  par- 
ticularly a  course  of  history.  On  this  subject  take 
the  advice  of  Mr.  Berrian. 

"  Above  all,  my  dear  son,  forget  not  that  the  care 
of  your  soul  is  the  one  thing  needful,  and  that  the 
whole  world  will  not  profit  you  if  you  lose  this. 


■v^ 


RIGHT  UEV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  303 


Neglect  not  pious  reading;  and,  above  all,  prayer. 
Make  a  point  of  reading  at  least  every  evening,  a 
chapter,  or  a  portion  of  a  chapter,  of  the  Bible,  with 
the  commentary  in  the  Family  Bible.  Do  tliis  as  my 
particular  request — do  it  for  a  still  stronger  reason, 
as  a  means  of  making  you  wise  utito  salvation. 

"  In  a  few  days  I  shall  set  off  for  the  Continent, 
by  the  way  of  the  Rhine,  to  Switzerland,  and  reach 
tlie  south  of  France  by  winter.  *  *  *.  Let  the 
family,  however,  write  as  usual.  I  shall  make 
arrangements  for  their  letters  reaching  me. 

"  That  God  may  bless,  protect,  and  save  you,  my 
dear  son,  is  the  constant  and  fervent  prayer  of 

"  Your  affectionate  father, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  Mrs.  Hobart. 

"  Basle,  (Switzerland,)  Nov.  24,  1824. 

"  MY  DEAREST  WIFE, 

"  The  difficulty  of  sending  letters  to  New-York 
from  the  Continent,  by  the  way  of  England,  has 
prevented  my  writing  to  you  ;  but  Mr.  Iselin,  of  this 
place,  who  lived  for  some  time  in  New- York,  in 
connexion  with  the  house  of  Le  Roy,  Bayard,  Sl  Co. 
and  who  lias  been  very  attentive  to  me,  has  offered 
to  take  charge  of  letters  and  to  forward  them  to 
Havre,  whence  th<'y  will  go  by  the  packet. 

"  I  am   now  able   to   say  what  I  could  not  have 
said   before  since  I  left    home,   that  I  feel    myself 
materially,    anil   1  Iru^t,    substantially  improved    in 
health.     I  attribute  this,  under  the  blessing  of  Pro- 
vidence, not  a  little  to  the  country  and  climate  of 


304  ilEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

Switzerland,  in  which  I  have  been  travelling  for 
some  time  past.  The  climate  is  muc!i  better  than 
that  of  England,  and  the  country  is  in  all  respects 
delightful  ;  but  it  was  a  sad  drawback  on  my  grati- 
fication, that  my  family  and  friends  were  not  with 
me  to  share  it.  My  journey  is  solitary  ;  I  have  no 
person  \vith  whom  to  reciprocate  my  feelings.  I 
find  it  necessary  to  be  moving.  If  I  stay  a  few  days 
in  a  place,  I  get  low  spirited,  become  bilious,  nnd 
my  dyspepsia  increases;  I  have  concluded,  there- 
fore, as  France  is  an  uninteresting  country,  not  to 
spend  so  much  lime  in  it  as  I  intended,  but  to  go 
into  Italy,  where  the  climate  at  this  season  is  mild 
and  healthy,  and  travel  in  those  parts  which  my  sick- 
ness last  summer  prevented  me  from  seeing,  and 
return  through  the  south  of  France.  *  *  *.  I  sent 
to  you,  from  Amsterdam,  some  bulbous  roots,  which 
I  conclude  before  this  you  have  received.  Mr.  Iselin 
is  so  good  as  to  take  charge  of  two  boxes  for  you, 
which  he  will  send  from  Havre.  One  is  a  box  of 
honey  from  the  foot  of  Mont  Blanc,  in  the  valley  of 
Chamouni,  which  is  celebrated  throughout  Europe. 
When  I  was  there  I  thought  of  your  fondness  for 
it,  and  procured  a  box  of  it,  and  conclude,  that  the 
circumstance  of  its  being  sent  by  me  from  so  great  a 
distance,  and  that  it  is  an  evidence  of  my  constant 
recollection  of  my  wife  and  family,  even  in  trifles, 
will  not  render  it  less  palatal)le.  The  otlier  box 
contains  an  herbarium  of  Alpine  plants  of  Mont 
Blanc  and  its  vicinity,  with  some  seeds  and  mine- 
rals, which  I  wish  delivered  as  directed.  *  *  *. 

"  Your  ever  affectionate, 

"J.  H.  HOBART." 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  305 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  myself. 

"  Venice,  Dec.  11,  1824. 

"  I  wrote  to  you  from  Basle  a  few  weeks  since  ; 
and  have  just  received,  my  dear  Berrian,  your 
letters  of  September  last.  *  *  *. 

"  I  have  made  since  I  left  Basle  an  interesting 
journey  (as  far  as  a  solitary  one  can  be  so)  through 
the  Tyrol — a  country  more  sublime  and  picturesque 
in  its  views  than  any  which  I  have  seen.  Constant 
change  of  scene,  and  occupation  of  mind  with  new 
and  interesting  objects,  I  find  of  great  benefit  to 
me  ;  but  to  get  entirely  rid  of  my  bilious  complaints, 
and  of  this  long  and  deep-seated  dyspepsia,  must 
be  a  work  of  lime. 

"  I  find  the  climate  of  Italy  more  exhilarating 
and  strengthening  at  this  season  than  when  I  was 
here  in  the  spring ;  when  I  enjoyed  very  little,  the 
little  which  I  saw.  This  city  is  striking  in  the 
highest  degree.  There  seems  to  be  a  kind  of 
magic  about  it.  *  *  *. 

"  Much  joy  to  you  on  the  addition  to  your  family! 
*  *  *.  Alas!  1  can  smile  sometimes,  but  many, 
many  are  my  lonely  moments.  *  *  *. 

"  Truly  and  affectionately  yours, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  Mrs.  Hobart. 

'' Rome,  Dec.  S] ,  1S24, 
"  Friday  evening,  9  o^ clock. 
"  I  have  just  returned,  my  dearest  wife,  from  a 
moon-light  ramble  among  the  ruins  of  ancient  Rome, 

39 


306  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

and  perhaps,  all  things  considered,  the  world  does 
not  afford  a  sight  more  interesting.     And  I  could 
not  have  wished  a  finer  evening  for  enjoying  it,  after 
one  of  the  most  lovely  days  I  ever  witnessed  at  this 
season  of  the  year — the  air  being  so  mild  that  the 
thermometer  has  been  up  to  temperate.     I  took  the 
opportunity  of  seeing,  in  the  light  of  the  moon,  which 
is  so  congenial  with  ruins  of  every  kind,  the  majestic 
remains  which  surround  the  Forum  Romanum,  as 
well  as  the  Forum  Trajanum  and  the  Pantheon. 
The  Coliseum  and  the  Amphitheatre  of  Vespasian 
appeared  grand  even   to  awfulness;    and  the  last 
evening  of  the  year  was  not  an  uncongenial  time  for 
wandering  among  the  memorials  of  the  departed 
greatness  of  the  once  mistress  of  the  world.     I  cer- 
tainly think  more  of  Rome  than  I  did  last  spring. 
The  fact  is,  I  am  now  in  better  health,  and  the  season 
is  incomparably  finer.     It  was  then  relaxing.     It  is 
now  bracing  and  invigorating,  and  yet  so  mild  that 
I  am  almost  tempted  to  think  it  spring.     Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Dash,  who  are  here,  and  myself,  took  a  ride 
to-day  to  the  Monte  Mario,  near  the  city,  which  it 
overlooks,  as  well  as  the  whole  of  the  campagna  to 
the  Appennines,  north  and  east,  forty  or  fifty  miles, 
to  Mount  Albano  south-east,  and  to  the  ocean  south 
and  south-west.     Not  a  cloud  nor  a  mist  dimmed 
the  atmosphere,  and  we  enjoyed  a  panoramic  view 
of  the  whole  of  this  interesting  and  classical  ground. 
The  villa  itself  is  delightfully  situated  on  the  summit 
of  the  mount,  in  the  midst  of  groves  of  the  cypress, 
the  pine,  the  olive,  and  the  ilex.    There  are  beautiful 
ravines  and  slopes  on  the  sides  of  the  mountain,  wild 
with  trees  and  bushes  in  some  spots,  and  in  others 


niGHT  UEV.  JOHN  HENKY   HOBART. 


307 


exhibiting  the  luxuriance  of  a  gay  spring  garden ; 
all  kinds  of  vegetables  as  in  the  spring,  peas  just 
ready  to  blossom,  and  wild  flowers  under  our  feet  of 
various  and  beautiful  kinds.  In  the  space  of  a  few 
feet,  Mrs.  Dash  picked  eight  or  ten  different  kinds, 
of  great  delicacy  and  beauty.  But,  alas!  they  pay 
dearly  for  all  this  in  the  intense  heats  of  sunnmer 
and  the  pestilential  exhalations  of  autumn.  *  *  *. 

"  For  to-morrow,  the  first  day  of  another  year, 
receive,  my  dearest  wife,  for  yourself  and  our  dear 
children,  the  devoted  prayers  for  your  happiness 
and  theirs  here  and  hereafter,  of 

'*  Your  affectionate 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

From  the  same  to  the  same. 

"  Rome,  Feb.  2S,  1825. 

"  MY  DEAREST  WIFE, 

"  In  the  absence  of  all  letters  from  New- York  of 
a  later  date  than  one  from  Mr.  Stanford  of  the  13th 
of  November,  I  was  delighted  to  hear  Mr.  Rogers 
read  an  extract  from  a  letter  from  his  sister,  Mrs. 
Murray,  of  the  31st  of  December,  in  which  she 
stated  that  you  and  all  the  family  were  well.  *  *  *. 

"  The  English  physician  whom  I  have  consulted 
here,  strongly  pressed  me,  on  my  first  arrival,  not  to 
think  of  travelling  in  the  north  of  Italy,  or  of  cross- 
ing the  Appennines  and  Alps,  until  the  weather  had 
become  settled  and  mild  in  the  spring.  I  told  him 
that  this  was  out  of  the  question,  as  that  by  the  time 
he  mentioned  I  must  be  in  England,  and  preparing 
for  returning  home.     He  thought  I  would  do  so  at 


308  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

the  risk  of  my  healthj   and   of  losing  the  benefit 
which  I  niight  derive  from   the  climate  of  the  south 
of  Italy,  which  at  this  season  is  so  genial.     I  set 
out,  however,  for  the  north  of  Italy  near  three  weeks 
since,  but  when  I  got  among  the  Appennines,  the 
climate  was  so  different,  and  the  inns  so  comfortless, 
that  I  took  cold,  and  was  induced,  as  a  matter  of 
common  prudence,  to  act  according  to  the  advice  of 
my  physician,  and  to  return  to  Rome.     The  proper 
time  for  leaving  here,  where  the  weather  this  winter 
has  been  more  genial  and  reviving  than  any  I  ever 
experienced,  will  be  in  April,  and  before  the  relax- 
ing heats  which  soon  follow.  *  *  *.     I  believe,  that, 
with  proper  prudence  and  care,  I  shall  return  home 
substantially  better  than  when  I  left  it,  but  I  fear 
that    dyspepsia   will   be    my   constant    companion. 
However,  I  have  got  along  hitherto  with  it,   and, 
through  God's  good  providence,  I  trust  I  shall  here- 
after.    I  have  fully  ascertained  that  a  mind  at  ease, 
free  from  agitating  and  oppressive  cares  and  duties, 
is  of  as  much,  if  not  of  more,  importance  to  me 
than  even  change  of  scene,  of  climate,  or  medicine. 
This  I  must  endeavour  to  have  when  I  return  home, 
and  on  this,  with  God's  blessing,  I  rely  for  the  pre- 
servation of  the  renewed  health  which  I  trust  I  shall 
bring  with  me.     To  this  agreeable  occupation  of 
mind  do  I  attribute,  in  a  great  measure,  my  better 
health  here.    In  England,  its  most  unpropitious  and 
depressing   climate,    with  other    causes,    operated 
against  the  favourable  influence  of  the  interesting 
society  there.     But  here  I  find  that  which  is  more 
delightful  and  cheering  than  any  other  can  possibly 
be,  the  society  of  Americans.  ♦  *  *.     My  residence 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAUT.  S09 

here  has  been  made  more  pleasant  by  the  circum- 
stance of  there  being  regular  English  service  every 
Sunday  ;  the  congregation  consisting  of  tvi^o  or  three 
hundred  persons.  Tiiere  are  always  a  great  many 
English  clergymen  here,  with  some  of  whom  I  have 
become  acquainted,  and  with  one*  (of  fine  talents, 
most  amiable  disposition,  and  sound  Church  princi- 
ples) particularly  so.  From  Lord  St.  Vincent  and 
his  family  (to  whom  you  recollect  I  took  letters 
from  Mr.  Ricketts)  I  have  received  the  kindest  at- 
tentions. He  has  now  gone  to  Naples.  Mr.  Ricketts 
has  no  doubt  heard  of  the  death  of  Lord  Boling- 
broke,  at  Pisa.  *  *  *.  Before  many  months  I  shall, 
Providence  permitting,  tell  you  in  person  much 
more  than  I  can  by  letter.  With  what  joy  shall  I 
again  be  in  the  bosom  of  my  family,  and  renew  my 
duties  to  conffregations  and  to  a  diocese  to  which  I 
owe  so  much  i  *  *  *, 

"  Before  this  time  an  eventf  to  which  I  gave  not 
only  my  consent,  but  expressed  my  earnest  wish 
and  request,  has  taken  place,  and  the  number  of  my 
family  increased.  To  my  dearest  daughter  and  my 
son-in-law,  to  both  of  whom  I  wrote  from  some  of 
the  places  I  have  mentioned,  give  my  most  affec- 
tionate remembrance;  and  I  need  not  say,  that  you 
all  have  the  blessing  and  constant  prayers  of 

"  Your  ever  affectionate 

"  Husband  and  father, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 


•  The  Rev.  Hugh  James  Rose. 

f  The  marriage  of  his  second  daughter  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ives, 
now  Bishop  of  North-Carolina. 


310  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  William  H.  Hobart. 

"Rome,  March  4, 1825. 

«  MY  DEAR  SON, 

"  I  wrote  to  your  mother  a  few  days  since.  I 
cannot  say  that  the  symptoms  of  dyspepsia  have 
much  abated,  or  that  I  can  do  without  the  use  of 
medicine  to  counteract  my  bilious  tendency ;  but 
my  appetite  is  good,  the  season  most  delightful, 
the  air  fresh  and  reviving,  admitting  of  my  using 
constant  exercise  in  roaming  among  the  *  Seven 
Hills,'  (of  which  you  have  read  and  heard  so  much) 
of  this  long  and  far-famed  city.  The  interest  which 
I  take  in  some  pleasant  English  and  American 
society  here,  removes  that  tedium  of  solitude  which, 
in  a  great  measure,  marred  the  salutary  effects  of 
my  previous  travelling  on  the  Continent. 

"  Your  letter  of  the  20th  of  October  was  very 
grateful  to  me,  particularly  from  its  minuteness, 
though  I  wish  you  had  said  more  about  the  studies 
and  engagements  of  yourself  and  your  brother 
Dayton.  This  is  a  subject  which  is  near  to  my 
heart,  for  your  advancement  and  happiness  in  life 
will  depend  essentially  on  the  improvement  of 
your  time  now.  I  arn  most  anxious  that  you  should 
both  become  hard  students,  devoting  at  least  eight 
hours  a  day  to  close  study.  We  often  know  not 
the  value  of  our  present  advantages  till  it  is  too 
late  to  avail  ourselves  of  them.  I  now  think  that 
if  I  could  be  as  you  are,  having  nothing  to  do  but 
to  study,  how  diligent  and  how  happy  I  should  be. 
You  have  so  far,  I  trust,  acquired  the  elements  of 
general  knowledge,  that  you  will  be  able  advant- 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  31 1 

ageously  to  prosecute  your  studies  more  in  detail. 
I  am  deeply  solicitous  that,  with  an  accurate  know- 
ledge of  your  particular  professions,  which  will  be 
essential  to  your  success  in  them,  you  should  unite 
that  general  science  which  will   so   much   increase 
your  usefulness,  your  reputation,  and  your  enjoy- 
ment in  after  life.    Of  the  importance  of  an  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  classics,  as  the  depositaries 
of  fine  sentiments  (doubtless  with  some  ti-ash,  and 
worse  than  trash,)  but  as  the  unrivalled  and  unim- 
peached  standards  of  all  that  is  eloquent  and  correct 
in  taste,  1  trust  I  need  not  say  any  thing  to  you,  and  I 
have  no  doubt  you  both  pursue  these  most  important 
studies.     Of  physical  and  moral  science  you  learned 
only  the  elements  at  college,  and  these  you  must 
enlarge,  particularly  in  physical  science,  mineralogy, 
and  botany,  which  will  increase  so  much,  to  say  no 
more,  your  enjoyment  of  the  works  of  nature.    The 
knowledge  of  the  modern  languages  of  French  and 
Italian  is,  on  many  accounts,  important,  and  almost 
indispensable  ;  and  I  hope  by  my  return  that  you 
will   understand  both,  and  be  able  to  converse  at 
least  in  the  former.    Various  studies  may  be  carried 
on  at  the  same  time,  provided  this  be  done  steadily 
and  systematically.    I  rejoice  to  learn  from  Dayton's 
letter,  that  Professor  M'Vickar  has  been  so  good 
as  to  give  you  his  advice.  *  *  *. 

"  But  what,  my  dear  son,  affords  me  the  highest 
consolation,  is  the  belief  that  you  and  your  brother 
do  not  neglect  what  should  be  paramount  to  every 
other  concern,  the  securing  of  your  Christian  privi- 
leges, and  preparing  for  that  future  life  which  is  to 
be  the  final  destiny  of  our  being. 


•  •  • 


312  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

"  A  long  letter  which  I  wrote  to  your  sisters  in 
November  last,  from  Basle,  in  Switzerland,  gave 
you  some  of  those  details  with  respect  to  my  travels 
which  you  desired.  To  attempt  to  tell  you  all  that 
I  have  seen,  is  out  of  the  question.  I  keep  a  kind 
of  diary  in  travelling,  and  make  notes  in  the  guide 
books  which  I  have,  which  may  perhaps  hereafter 
afford  me  and  my  family  some  amusement. 

"You  wish  to  know  whether  I  have  had  a  servant. 
I  got  one  soon  after  I  arrived  in  England,  and  he  is 
still  with  me.  And  yet  I  have  often  wished  that  I 
could  do  without  him,  for  though  much  better  than 
the  generality,  he  is  in  some  respects  a  great  plague 
to  me.  But,  situated  as  I  have  been,  particularly 
in  regard  to  health,  a  servant  was  indispensable. 
Terrible  indeed  would  have  been  my  situation,  if  I 
had  been  without  him  when  I  was  sick  last  June  on 
the  lonely  mountain  of  Radicofani,  and  afterwards 
at  Sienna,  when  he  was  my  only  nurse.  I  bought 
a  carriage  last  spring  at  Paris,  which  I  still  have, 
and  in  which  I  travel  post.  The  roads  are  excellent 
wherever  I  have  travelled,  far  superior  to  ours  in 
America.  The  countries  which  have  most  interested 
me  were  Switzerland  and  the  Tyrol.  But  the  cities 
of  Italy  are  more  interesting  than  any  others.  *  •  *. 

"  Your  affectionate  father, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  Mrs.  Hobart. 

"  Rome,  April  23,  1825. 

"  I  shall  set  off  in  a  few  days  for  the  north  of  Italy, 

in  company  with  Mr.  Dash  and  his  family,  which 


UI(;HT  rev.  JOHN  HENRY  HODART.  313 

circumstance  will  add  much  to  the  comfort  and 
pleasure  of  my  journey,  which  hitherto,  from  my 
travelling  alone,  has  not  contributed  as  much  as  it 
would  probably  otherwise  have  done  to  my  health 
and  spirits.  It  is  dreary  travelling  any  where  alone, 
and  especially  in  a  strange  land.  Some  time  in 
June  I  expect  to  reach  England,  and  I  am  exceed- 
ingly desirous  to  be  present  at  the  commencement 
of  the  Universities  of  Oxford  and  Cambridge,  after 
which  I  shall  lose  no  time  in  returning  to  my  home, 
which  I  am  impatient  to  see,  and  to  my  duties,  on 
which  I  long  again  to  enter.  *  *  *. 

"  Ever  most  affectionately  yours, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

From  the  same  to  the  same. 

"  Geiioa,  May  21,  1825. 
"  I  found  my  health  so  much  improving  at  Rome, 
that  I  was  induced  to  prolong  my  stay  there.  *  *  *. 
I  am  in  hopes  that  I  have  got  rid  of  my  bilious 
complaint,  and  wish  that  I  could  say  the  same  of 
the  dyspepsia.  I  intend  to  pass  through  Switzer- 
land on  my  way  to  England,  and  to  try  riding  on 
horseback  among  the  mountains,  with  a  view  of 
strengthening  my  system.  This  exercise  I  am 
persuaded  would  be  of  the  greatest  service,  but 
hitherto  I  have  not  been  strong  enough  to  use  it 
for  any  length  of  time.  I  expect  to  be  in  England 
towards  the  latter  end  of  next  month,  and  then, 
after  passing  a  few  days  in  Ireland,  to  take  my 
passage  from  Liverpool  for  home  to  join  my  beloved 
family,    my    friends,    my    congregations,    and    my 

40 


314  MEMOIll  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

diocese,    never    more,    I   trust,    during   life    to  be 
separated  from  them. 

I  shall  have  a  great  deal  to  say  to  you  about 
Italy.  When  I  was  here  last  year,  I  was  so  unwell 
that  I  could  not  enjoy  it;  but  I  must  now  join  the 
general  voice,  and  pronounce  it  a  most  lovely 
country  and  climate.  I  left  Mr.  Dash  and  his 
family  at  Florence,  and  may  probably  see  them 
again  in  the  north  of  Italy,  on  their  way  to  Geneva; 
but  this  is  uncertain.  The  road  from  Florence  to 
this  place  passes  through  a  most  delightful  country, 
and  affords  the  richest  views — the  fertile  vale  of 
Arno,  and  then  the  Appennines  on  the  Gulf  of 
Genoa,  the  summits  of  which,  lofty  and  picturesque, 
but  naked,  finely  contrast  with  their  sides,  which 
are  loaded  with  olive,  fig,  chesnut,  and  other  trees, 
and  with  vines  and  grain,  exhibiting  the  most 
crovvded  and  luxuriant  vegetation  I  ever  saw. 

"  This  is  a  remarkable  and  splendid  city,  but  not 
perhaps  as  much  so  as  Venice,  in  some  respects. 
Your  information  of  the  health  and  improvement  of 
our  children  delights  me.  That  God  may  bless  you 
and  them,  is  the  prayer  of 

**  Your  ever  affectionate, 

"J.  H.  HOBART." 

From  Bishop  Hobart  to  myself. 

"  Geneva,  July  12,  1825. 

"  I  am  really  apprehensive  that  you  will  begin  to 

think  that  your  friend  is  not  disposed  speedily  to 

return  to  his  fiimily,  his  congregations,  or  his  diocese. 

Bui  the  truth  undoubtedly  is,  that  had  I  done  so 


KIGHT  KEV.  JOHN  HENKY  HOBAKT.  315 

at  an  earlier  period,  I  could  not  have  indulged  the 
reasonable  expectation  that  I  should  have  been  able 
permanently  to  enjoy  my  family,  or  to  have  dis- 
charged my  duties  to  my  congregations  or  to  my 
diocese.  My  health,  indeed,  had  been  gradually 
improving  through  the  winter,  but  I  had  still  frequent 
and  serious  monitions  that  my  complaints  were  not 
substantially  removed.  *  *  *. 

"  I  had  every  reason  to  believe  that  a  return  to 
the  cares  and  duties  which,  in  an  increased  degree 
would  press  upon  me  at  home,  would  bring  on  a 
renewal  of  my  former  complaints.  I  felt  it  a  duty 
to  make  a  decided  and  vigorous  eftbrt  to  renew  my 
constitution,  and  I  was  induced  to  believe  that 
exercise,  on  foot  and  on  horseback,  among  the  Alps 
of  Italy  and  Switzerland,  would  produce  this  effect. 
The  winter,  however,  lingers  so  long  in  those  high 
regions,  as  you  know,  tiiat  travelling  there  is  not 
safe  or  practicable  until  June.  For  nearly  this 
month  past  I  have  been  among  ihe  Alps,  and  with 
the  happiest  effect  on  my  health,  of  which  I  can 
give  you  no  better  proof  tiian  that,  between  the 
16th  of  June  and  the  lOth  of  this  month,  I  have 
passed  over,  in  different  places,  the  Alps  of  Italy 
and  Switzerland  twenty  times;  have  travelled  about 
three  hundred  miles  on  foot,  often  several  days 
successively  between  twenty  and  thirty  miles  up 
and  down  steep  and  lofty  mountains;  concluding 
this  Alpine  expedition  by  passing  over  the  Great 
St.  Bernard  and  round  Mont  Blanc  to  this  place, 
where  I  arrived  on  Saturday  last;  and  1  now  feel 
myself  as  well  as  I  ever  was.  The  fact  is,  that  my 
complaints  are  of  a  nature  only  to  be  removed  by  a 


316  MEMOIK  OP  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

cessation  of  cares  and  duties  for  some  time,  and  by 
that  kind  of  exercise  which  I  have  taken,  in  which 
a  succession  of  interesting  objects  agreeably  occu- 
pies the  mind.  The  only  remaining  excursion 
which  I  am  desirous  of  making,  is  to  that  interest- 
ing people,  the  Waldenses,  with  whose  primitive 
character,  as  Christians,  you  are  well  acquainted, 
and  for  whom  a  collection  was  made  in  the  English 
congregation  at  Rome  last  spring,  on  which  occa- 
sion I  preached.  I  must  give  up  seeing  much  of 
Paris,  through  which  as  yet  I  have  only  passed,  and 
also  many  parts  of  England,  which  I  was  desirous 
of  visiting,  and  take  one  of  the  packets  next  month 
from  Liverpool  for  home:  after  all,  there  is  nothing 
like  it,  not  even  in  Switzerland,  which,  take  the 
people  and  the  country  together,  perhaps  tiie  most 
resembles  our  dear  native  land. 

"  I  am  sensible  that  for  my  protracted  absence  I 
need  the  indulgence  of  the  vestry,  my  congregations, 
and  my  diocese.  Explain  to  the  former  when  they 
meet,  and  to  the  latter  as  opportunity  offers,  the 
reasons  of  it.  U  these  appear  insufficient,  I  must 
throw  myself  on  that  kindness  which  has  often 
overrated  my  exertions,  and  been  lenient  to  my 
deficiencies  and  my  faults,  promising  in  future  an 
increased  devotion  to  their  interests,  which  ought 
certainly  with  me  to  be  paramount  to  all  other 
considerations.  *  *  *. 

"  And  now,  my  dear  Berrian,  you  must  not  sup- 
pose that  I  have  been  unmindful  of  the  additional 
duty  and  responsibility  which  my  absence  has  im- 
posed upon  you.  I  trust  and  hope  that  you  have 
not  suffered  by  it,  but  that  I  shall  find  you,  on  my 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN   HENRY  HOBART.  317 

return,  at  least  in  your  usual  health.     I  think  I  am 
desirous,  and  I  think  I  shall  be  able  on  my  return,  to 
do  at  least  as  much  duty  as  I  have  ever  done.  *  *  *. 
"  Most  truly  and  affectionately  yours, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

From  the  Rev.  G.  S.  Faber  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  SIR. 

"  Allow  me  to  convey  my  thanks  to  you  for  the 
present  of  your  sermons,  which  I  safely  received 
last  Saturday.  Sincerely  do  I  hope  that  they  may 
be  made  as  extensively  useful  as  their  author  him- 
self can  wish. 

"  It  is  impossible  not  to  regret  that  species  of 
alienation  between  members  of  the  same  Church, 
which  I  fear  exists  far  too  much  in  England,  and 
which,  from  your  preface,  as  well  as  from  the  inti- 
mations of  Dr  Jarvis,  appears  also  to  exist  in 
America.  I  have  known  so  many  good  men,  both  in 
what  is  termed  the  high  Church  partij  and  in  what 
(not  very  wisely)  is  denominated  the  Evangelical 
party,  that  I  cannot  help  thinking  a  little  mutual 
intermingling  might  tend  much  to  abate  prejudices 
on  both  sides.  Hills,  when  seen  through  a  fog, 
look  like  mountains;  and,  in  numerous  instances, 
I  am  convinced  that  it  is  equally  through  a  false 
medium  that  the  two  parties  view  each  other.  If 
bigots  on  each  side  would  be  a  little  more  moderate, 
(and  they,  in  truth,  are  the  persons  who  do  all  the 
mischief,)  we  should  not  give  our  enemies  so  much 
reason  to  exult  over  us. 

"  If  it  were  at  all  necessary  to  recur  to  the  allega- 


318  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

tion  mentioned  in  your  preface,  certainly  the  pub- 
lication of  your  sermons,  so  far  as  I  can  judge  from 
the  six  first  which  I  have  had  the  pleasure  and,  I 
trust,  the  benefit  of  reading,  will  effectually  answer 
that  purpose;  and  most  heartily  do  I  rejoice  that 
the  Church  of  New- York  should  hear,  from  the 
mouth  of  her  chief  pastor,  our  blessed  Saviour  thus 
fully  and  excellently  set  forth  in  his  various  offices. 
In  any  legitimate  sense  of  the  phrase,  no  person  can 
say  that  you  atleastdonot  preach  the  Gospel.  For, 
in  reality,  what  is  preaching  the  Gospel  1  I  can 
annex  no  other  intelligible  idea  to  the  phrase,  than 
that  of  enforcing  Christian  duties  upon  Christian 
principles.  These  two  are  united  by  God  in  his 
word;  and,  whenever  man  presumes  to  separate 
them,  mischief  inevitably  follows.  If  we  preach 
doctrines  without  duties,  we  effectually  do  little 
better  than  administer  the  anodynes  of  Antinomian- 
ism ;  if  we  preach  duties  without  doctrines,  we  are 
vainly  labouring  to  build  a  house  without  laying  a 
foundation.  I  do  not  think  that  either  of  these 
mutilated  styles  of  preaching  can  be  truly  designated 
as  a  faithful  preaching  of  the  Gospel ;  each,  though 
in  an  opposite  way,  swerves  from  declaring  the 
whole  counsel  of  God.  But  I  fear  you  will  think  me 
very  presumptuous  in  thus  seeming  to  read  a  lecture, 
when  I  ought  rather  to  hear  one.  You  will,  how- 
ever, I  am  sure,  do  me  the  justice  to  believe,  that 
what  I  have  said  is  nothing  but  a  statement  of  those 
views  which  led  me  to  rejoice  in  the  circumstance 
that  the  Church  of  America  shows  herself  a  sincere 
daughter  of  her  venerable  parent,  the  Church  of 
England.  *  *  *. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  319 

"I  have  nearly  finished  a  work  under  the  title  of 
The  Difficulties  of  Anti-Trinitarianism,  which  I 
hope,  through  God's  blessing,  maybe  of  some  little 
use  against  the  most  dreadful  of  all  the  perversions 
of  Christianity.  Adopting  the  idea  which  the  Bishop 
of  St.  David's  suggested  in  regard  to  the  difficulties 
of  infidelity,  I  have  chosen  the  plan  oi  attack  rather 
than  of  defence.  Whenever  the  work  is  published, 
I  will  have  the  pleasure  of  sending  you  a  copy. 
On  the  ground  of  emdence,  which  is  the  only 
legitimate  ground  of  discussion,  Anti-Trinitarianism 
cannot  stand  a  single  moment. 
"  I  have  the  honour  to  be, 

"  With  much  respect, 

"  Your  obliged  and  obedient 
"  Humble  servant, 

"  G.  S.  FABER." 

From  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Rose  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR, 

"  If  I  had  not  received  your  welcome  letter  this 
morning,  I  should  have  ventured  to  direct  a  few 
lines  to  Liverpool,  to  thank  you  for  your  present — 
acceptable  as  containing  a  memorial  of  regard  from 
you,  and  doubly  acceptable,  as  being  your  own 
works.  I  have  already  read  your  charges,  and  I 
hope  you  will  not  think  I  have  done  wrong  in 
sending  oflTto  the  printer  an  additional  note  to  my 
sermons,  mentioning  especially  that  of  1815,  and 
also  the  very  admirable  one  on  Popish  and  Protest- 
ant Errors,  which  teaches  so  much  on  the  very 
subject  I  was  handling.     The  charge  of  1815  is  so 


320  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

important,  because  it  expressss  so  forcibly,  and  yet 
so  succinctly,  the  nature  of  Episcopacy  and  the 
duties  of  the  clergy,  that  if  I  can  at  all  persuade 
the  booksellers  here,  I  should  like  to  get  it  re- 
printed as  a  manual  for  the  younger  divines.  *  *  *. 
I  shall  hope  to  receive  any  other  v/orks  you  may 
print,  because  I  well  know  what  their  worth  and 
value  will  be.  I  am  not  sorry  you  could  not  get 
Wordsworth,  for  I  shall  take  care,  as  soon  as  the 
new  edition  comes  out,  that  a  copy  is  sent  to  Mr. 
Miller,  as  a  little  token  of  regard  on  my  part;  a 
regard  which,  I  trust,  will  be  preserved  by  such 
intercourse  as  our  distance  allows,  while  it  pleases 
God  to  continue  us  in  this  world.  I  have  too  many 
blessings  to  repine  at  any  ordinations  of  Providence ; 
but,  as  far  as  it  is  lawful  to  indulge  human  feelings, 
most  ardently  could  I  have  wished  to  have  been 
thrown  near  you,  to  whom  I  should  have  looked 
with  affection  and  regard  as  a  friend.  *  *  *.  But 
though  we  are  too  far  distant  for  me  to  benefit  by 
your  friendly  counsels,  or  enjoy  the  happiness  of 
your  society,  you  will  not,  I  am  sure,  forget  me  in 
your  prayers ;  but  when  you  entreat  for  the  assist- 
ance of  the  Great  Head  of  tiie  Church  to  ihe 
discharge  of  your  arduous  duties,  you  will  implore 
Him  to  give  me  the  aid  necessary  for  me  in  my 
humble  and  more  limited  sphere.  That  it  may 
please  God  to  restore  you  in  safety  to  your  Church, 
your  country,  and  your  family,  and  that  he  may  long 
continue  such  a  blessing  to  them,  is  and  will  be 
my  warm  and  earnest  prayer.  We  in  all  human 
probability  shall  meet  here  no  more,  but  my  heart 
and  thoughts  will  often  be  turned  to  you  and  to 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  321 

your  Church.  I  shall  expect,  with  anxiety,  news  of 
your  arrival,  and  after  that,  sucli  accounts,  and  at 
such  intervals,  as  your  important  avocations  will 
allow.  Whatever  I  can  send  in  return  which  will 
interest  you,  you  may  depend  on  receiving.  *  *  *. 
"  Mrs.  Rose  joins  me  in  every  kind  of  good  wish, 
and  believe  me  ever, 

"  My  dear  Sir, 

"Your  affectionate  friend, 

"  JAMES  HUGH  ROSE. 
"  Aug.  25,  1S25:' 

From  the  Rev.  B.  Bridie  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  >S^^.  Peter's  College,  Cambridge, 

''Aug.  21,  1^25. 

"  MY  DEAR  BISHOP, 

"  It  was  not  till  Tjcsterday  (when  I  received  a 
letter  from  my  curate,  Mr.  Veasey,  who  passed 
through  London,  a  iaw  days  ago,  on  his  way  to 
Brighton,)  that  I  heard  of  your  arrival  in  England, 
althougli  Dr.  Ciark  had  given  me  some  hopes  of 
seeing  you  before  I  left  London.  It  was,  I  can  as- 
sure you,  a  very  great  disappointment  to  me,  when  I 
found,  from  Mr.  Veasey's  letter,  that  you  were  likely 
to  leave  London  in  a  few  days  for  America;  but 
my  feelings  have  been  somewhat  relieved  by  your 
letter  of  this  morning,  as  it  gives  me  an  opportunity 
at  least  of  communicating  with  you  before  you 
leave  the  shores  of  Old  England,  and  of  expressing 
my  sincere  regret  that  it  has  not  been  permitted  me 
to  have  the  gratification  of  shaking  hands  with  you 
before  you  set  off.    From  the  month  of  March  (beimr 

-       41 


322  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

the  time  you  mentioned  in  your  last  letter  when  I 
might  have  had  reason  to  expect  you  in  London)  till 
the  middle  of  July,  when  I  came  down  to  Cambridge, 
I  was  daily  looking  out  for  you  most  anxiously,  and 
I  may  say,  that  after  Dr.  Clark's  arrival  in  London 
I  was  raised  to  the  pitch  of  hourhj  expectation. 

"  As  I  am  now  deprived  of  a  personal  visit  from 
you,  be  pleased,  my  dear  Sir,  to  accept  my  most 
heartfelt  congiatulations  on  the  recovery   of  your 
health  and  spirits,  and  may  you  long  live  to  enjoy 
that  inestimable  blessing  in  the  midst  of  your  family 
and  friends ;  and  if  it  should  not  be  in  my  power 
to  accept  your  kind  and  friendly  invitation  to  visit 
you  in  New- York,  (of  which  I  have  very  great  fears,) 
be  assured  that  I  shall  never  forget  that  it  was  with 
the  Bishop  of  New-York  I  ascended  Vesuvius,  ran- 
sacked the  ruins  of  Psestum  and  Pompeii,  and  as- 
sisted at  the  solemn  mummery  of  the  Sistine  Chapel. 
*'  But  our  intercourse  must  not  end  tlius.    There 
is  one  subject  at  least  upon  which,  I  trust,  we  feel 
a  common  interest — I  mean  that  of  the  poor  Vaudois. 
You  have   preached   a  sermon   in  tiieir  favour  at 
Rome;  /have  been  appointed  treasurer  to  the  fund 
which  is  now  raising  in  this  country  for  their  relief; 
this  fund  is  now  become  considerable,  and  in  the 
course   of   a  fortnight  I  am   going  to   London    to 
attend   the   sub-committee,  when  I  shall  have  the 
pleasure  to  report  a  further  increase.    It  is  a  subject 
which  has  very  much  occupied  my  attention  since 
Christmas  last,  and  I  have  more  to  say  upon  it  than 
can  come  into  the  compass  of  an  ordinary  letter. 
I  have  written  to  the  Rivingtons  this  evening,  to 
request  that  they  will  send  me  your  sermon,  and  I 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOB  ART.  823 

have  no  doubt  that  in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks  I 
shall  have  the  opportunity  of  transmitting  a  copy  to 
our  worthy  friend  Mr.  Bert.  Had  I  no  other  reason 
— but  I  have  many — for  writing  to  you  at  New-York, 
but  to  report  the  proceedings  of  our  committee 
here,  you  may  be  sure  to  hear  from  me  again  before 
many  months.  *  *  *. 

"  That  you  may  find  Mrs.  Hobart  and  all  your 
children  in  the  enjoyment  of  health  and  happiness, 
is  the  earnest  prayer, 
"  My  dear  Sir, 

"  Of  your  faithful  and  affectionate  friend, 

"  R.  BRIDLE." 

From  the  Rev.  E.  J.  Burrow  to  Bishop  Hobart. 
"  The  Grove,  Ejjpijig,  Aug.  29,  1825. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  I  thank  you  very  cordially  for  your  letter,  and 
for  the  valuable  packet  which  has  followed  it.  In 
truth  I  began  to  despair  of  gaining  any  tidings  of 
you,  so  long  is  it  since  I  heard  even  in  what  country 
you  were  probably  to  be  found.  I  feared  that  sud- 
den illness  might  have  kept  you  a  prisoner,  or  that 
some  accident  had  befallen  you  by  the  way.  I 
rejoice  to  learn,  or  rather  to  infer  from  your  letter, 
that  this  is  not  so;  though  my  satisfaction  is  much 
diminished  by  the  regret  that  I  have  no  opportunity 
of  congratulating  you  in  person,  on  the  safe  termi- 
nation of  your  travels.  That  your  remaining  voyage 
may  be  prosperous,  you  have,  I  am  sure,  abundance 
of  ardent  wishes  from  both  sides  of  the  sea.  The 
friends  you  leave  behind,  and  among  them  those  at 


324  MEMOin  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

Epping,  will  continue  to  feel  an  interest,  a  deep 
interest,  in  one  who  has  done  so  much  in  support 
of  true  religion  ;    and   those  to  whom   you  return 
seem  to  be  quite  aware  of  the  value  of  your  pastoral 
services  and  presence.     Should  it  ever  be  my  lot 
to  cross  the  Atlantic,  and  there  is  no  saying  what 
may  be  in  store,  I  shall  hope  to  visit  you  in  the 
scene  of  your  exertions.     In  the  mean  while  it  will 
be  a  great  gratification  to  me  to  be  favoured  with 
any  communications  which  your  other  engagements 
will  permit  you  to  make  relative  especially  to  the 
progress  of  the  Theological  Seminary,  and  to  the 
affairs  of  the  Church  in  general.     I  shall  rely  upon 
your  kind  promise  of  an  account  of  the  American 
Episcopal  Church,  when  you  have  leisure  sufficient 
to  draw  it  up.     It  will  always  be  my  object,  so  long 
as  I  remain  editor  of  the  Theological  Review,  to 
avail  myself  of  every  opportunity  to  promote  the 
good  understanding  which  now  exists  between  the 
Episcopalians  of  America  and  England  ;  for  I  am 
persuaded  that  nothing  will  more  tend  to  rouse  us 
to  activity,  than  the  emulation  which  friendly  inter- 
course is  calculated  to  excite.     I  am  much  obliged 
by  the  present  of  your  edition  of  the  Family  Bible, 
and  will  certainly  make  mention  of  it  in  the  Review 
before  long.     I  should  like   to  see  a  work  of  the 
same  sort,  but  more  compact  and  more  practical, 
published  at  New- York.     I  would  engage  to  edite 
it  in  London.     Notwithstanding  the  great  sale  that 
D'Oyly  and  Mant's  Bible  has  had,  there   is  still  a 
want  of  something  more  condensed,  and  suitable 
to  those  who  have  very  little  time  to  read  and  yet 
desire  instruction.     May  I  beg  that   you  will  be 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAUT.  325 

good  enough  to  direct  your  bookseller  to  forward 
any  American  publications  on  divinity  which  may 
come  out,  and  which  you  think  deserving  of  notice, 
to  Rivingtons'  for  me.  I  am  anxious  to  render  our 
Review  as  generally  acceptable  as  possible,  for 
though  frustra  lahorat  qui  omnibus  placere  studct, 
I  am  confirmed,  by  the  experience  we  have  already 
had,  in  my  persuasion,  that  no  real  good  can  be 
effected  by  such  a  publication,  unless  it  be  readable 
by  all  parties,  and  be  as  impartial  towards  all  as 
sound  principle  will  allow. 

"  Mrs.  Burrow  and  my  family  desire  to  offer  their 
respectful  compliments  with  those  of, 
"Dear  Sir, 

"  Your  very  faithful  friend  and  servant, 

"  E.  J.  BURROW." 

There  are  a  great  number  of  notes  also  from  the 
highest  dignitaries  of  the  Church  of  England,  from 
several  of  the  nobility  and  gentry,  and  some  of  the 
most  eminent  literary  men  of  the  age,  to  Bishop 
Hobart,  containing  proffers  of  hospitality,  or  of 
other  acts  of  civility  and  kindness,  which,  while  they 
were  doubtless  very  grateful  to  him,  were  neverthe- 
less due  to  his  talents,  character,  and  station. 

During  his  visit  to  England,  he  published  two 
volumes  of  his  sermons,  which  were  also  soon 
after  re-printed  in  this  country.  They  were  his 
ordinary  parochial  discourses,  which  were  designed 
merely  for  the  pulpit,  without  the  slightest  view 
to  publication.  From  the  multitude  of  his  avoca- 
tions and  cares,  but  little  time  was  left  for  the 
preparation  of  his  sermons,  and  even  when  he  hap- 


326  MEIVIOIU  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

pened  to  have  more  leisure,  from  the  mere  force  of 
habit  and  his  remarkable  facility  in  this  species  of 
composition,  they  were  generally  written  in  the  same 
haste.  They  are  by  no  means,  therefore,  the  best 
specimen  either  of  his  style  or  of  his  powers.  Be- 
sides, many  of  them  were  composed  when  he  was 
comparatively  young,  before  the  first  had  attained 
its  final  form,  or  the  last  their  full  maturity  and 
vigour.  These  discourses,  however,  are  written  in 
an  easy,  flowing,  and  popular  style,  which,  with  the 
freedom  and  animation  of  his  manner  at  the  time  of 
their  delivery,  gave  them  almost  the  air  of  extem- 
poraneous discourses,  and  made  them  very  captivat- 
ing to  the  hearers.  But  though  they  have  in  many 
respects  great  excellencies,  yet  they  cannot  be 
regarded  as  finished  compositions.  The  style  is 
often  wanting  in  precision,  elegance,  and  grace.  It 
is  in  general  too  much  encumbered  with  epithets, 
which  weaken  its  force.  And  occasionally  it  is 
deformed  by  the  use  of  false  and  common-place 
ornaments,  or  by  a  confusion  of  figures.  But  not- 
withstanding these  blemishes  and  defects,  their 
merits  are  of  a  high  order.  The  topics  are  well 
selected  for  the  edification  of  a  Christian  people. 
They  are  practical,  useful,  and  evangelical,  in  the 
best  sense  of  that  sacred  but  often  misapplied  term. 
The  leading  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  are  continually 
set  forth  in  the  clearest  manner,  and  Christian  duty 
is  always  inculcated  on  Scriptural  principles.  A 
fervid  glow  pervades  them,  which  even  now  is  felt, 
but  which  once  the  kindling  and  stirring  spirit  of 
the  speaker  transfused  through  every  heart.  With 
all  this  warmth  and  freedom,  the  union  is  still  pre- 


RKJIIT  REV.  JOHN  IIENUY  IIOHAUT.  327 

served  witli  soberness  and  truth.  The  thouo^hts 
are  natural  and  just;  the  general  treatment  of  the 
subject  is  always  clear  and  intelligible ;  the  divisions 
are  sometimes  singularly  striking  and  happy;  the 
reasonings  arc  acute  and  convincing;  the  practical 
appeals  and  final  application  are  often  exceedingly 
affecting  and  impressive.  Had  the  sprightliness  of 
the  Bishop's  imagination  been  under  the  guidance 
of  a  severer  taste — had  there  been  as  much  felicity 
as  there  was  freedom  of  expression — had  there  been 
as  much  vigour  of  style  as  there  was  boldness  in  his 
conceptions,  he  would  have  made  one  of  the  most 
powerful  and  eloquent  preachers  of  the  age. 

His  Charges  and  Pastoral  Letters,  which  were 
written  with  greater  care,  and  sometimes  under 
stronger  excitement,  are  among  the  most  chaste 
and  forcible  of  his  writings  ;  and  some  of  his  con- 
troversial pieces  are  the  fairest  exhibition  of  his 
theological  learning  and  intellectual  powers. 

Bishoj)  Hobart  left  England  on  the  first  of  Sep- 
tember, in  the  ship  Canada,  Captain  Rogers,  from 
Liverpool.  He  arrived  early  in  the  month  of  Octo- 
ber, and  was  received  with  so  warm  a  greeting  that 
his  heart  melted  within  him,  for  the  cordial  con- 
gratulations of  all  seemed  to  confound  the  degrees 
of  affection  towards  him,  and  each  one  whom  he 
met  appeared  like  a  dear  and  personal  friend. 

From  Bishop  Croes  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  New- Brunswick,  Oct.  14,  1825. 

"  DEAR  AND  RIGHT  REV.  SIR, 

"  Having  read  in  the  Evening  Post  of  yesterday, 
the  very  agreeable  intelligence  of  your  arrival  from 


328  RIEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

Europe,  I  avail  myself  of  the  earliest  opportunity 
to  congratulate  you  on  that  happy  event,  and  to 
express  the  great  pleasure  and  satisfaction  I  feel 
that  you  are,  by  the  goodness  of  God,  restored  to 
the  bosom  of  your  family,  to  your  friends,  your 
diocese,  and  to  the  Church  generally,  after  so  long 
and  painful  an  absence.  I  hope,  my  dear  Sir,  that 
your  health  is  entirely  restored,  and  that  you  may 
be  enabled  to  resume  the  duties  of  your  diocese 
with  that  vigour,  energy,  and  usefulness,  so  pecu- 
liarly yours. 

"  I  intend,  with  Divine  permission,  to  make  you 
a  short  visit  as  early  as  possible,  perhaps  next  week, 
towards  the  close  of  your  Convention. 

"  With  my  best  respects,  and  the  respects  of  my 
family,  to  Mrs.  Hobart  and  your  children,  whom  we 
sincerely  congratulate  on  this  very  happy  occasion, 
"  I  am,  my  dear  Sir, 

"  Your  sincere  and  affectionate 
"  Friend  and  brother, 

"  JOHN  CROES." 

From  Bishop  White  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  Philadelphia,  Oct.  ]  7,  1825. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  The  bearer,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Howell,  has  called  to 
inform  me,  that  he  is  starting  this  morning  for 
New- York.  I  will  not  lose  the  opportunity  of  con- 
gratulating you  on  your  safe  return,  which  I  should 
have  done  by  Mr.  Montgomery,  had  not  the  infor- 
mation of  his  going  early  in  the  morning  reached 
me  late  on  the  preceding  evening,  and  when  I  was 
engaged  in  company. 


RKJHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  329 

"  I  also  beg  leave  to  present  my  congratulations 
on  the  occasion  to  Mrs.  Hobart  and  to  all  the  mem- 
bers of  your  family,  and  remain 

"  Your  affectionate  brother, 

"  WILLIAM  WHITE. 

"  P.  S.  You  will  easily  believe  that  all  the  mem- 
bers of  my  family  share  in  the  saiisfaction  which  I 

feel  in  the  event. 

"W.  W." 

From  Bishop  Ravcnscroft  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  Raleigh,  Oct.  22,  1825. 

••  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  The  public  prints  having  announced  that  the 
wishes  and  prayers  of  many  in  your  behalf  are 
answered  in  your  safe  return  to  your  country  and 
family,  I  beg  leave  to  present  my  congratulations 
on  the  happy  event,  and  to  assure  you,  that  I  feel 
thankful,  not  only  for  your  safe  return,  but  that  it 
hath  pleased  God  to  sanctify  the  means  used  for 
the  restoration  of  your  health  with  full  success. 

"  I  cannot,  I  think,  accuse  myself  of  any  tendency 
to  enthusiasm,  yet  1  am  constrained  to  view  the 
providences  of  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  to- 
wards you,  as  a  speaking  indication  of  his  watchful 
care  over  his  Church,  and  of  his  favour  and  goodness 
towards  that  branch  of  it  planted  in  this  country. 

"  From  past  experience  we  may  flatter  ourselves 
that  the  renewed  health  and  strength  conferred  on 
you,  with  the  watchful  care  which  has  preserved 
you  by  land  and  by  water,  will  operate  to  produce 
yet  more  devoted  exertions  for  the  extension  of  that 

42 


330  MEMOIR  OP  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

kingdom,  which  is  to  progress  in  its  conquests, 
until  the  ends  of  the  earth  see  the  salvation  of  our 
God,  and  with  one  heart  and  one  mouth  confess 
Josus  to  be  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father. 

"  In  this  arduous  hut  happy  work,  permit  the 
youngest  of  your  brethren  to  offer  his  most  sincere 
co-operation,  and  to  add  his  earnest  prayer  to  the 
supplications  of  many,  that  as  you  are  restored,  so 
may  you  be  guided  and  supported  in  every  endea- 
vour for  the  advancement  of  the  glory  of  God,  the 
good  of  his  Church,  the  safety,  honour,  and  welfare 
of  his  people. 

"  Your  affectionate  brother  in  Christ, 

"  JOHN  S.  RAVENSCROFT." 

On  the  Sunday  after  his  return  from  Europe  Bishop 
Hobart  preached  a  sermon,  which,  from  its  novel  and 
peculiar  character,  was  heard  with  a  great  diversity 
of  feeling  and  opinion  among  ourselves,  and  which 
attracted  a  considerable  degree  of  attention  abroad. 
He  seemed  to  be  perfectly  aware  of  the  effect  which 
it  would  produce,  but  having  deliberately  made  up 
his  mind  as  to  the  propriety  of  the  step,  with  his 
usual  fearlessness  he  gave  himself  no  trouble  about 
the  consequences.  He  remarked  to  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Montgomery  and  myself,  who  accompanied  him 
that  morning  to  Trinity  Church,  that  he  had  intended 
to  confer  with  us  and  a  few  others  on  the  subject, 
but  as  the  measure  was  a  bold  one,  he  had  concluded 
that  it  was  best  to  take  the  whole  responsibility  of 
it  upon  himself.  The  train  of  observations  was  so 
entirely  out  of  his  ordinary  course,  (for  in  general  no 
one  confined  himself  more  scrupulously  to  the  topics 


RIGHT  llEV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  3S1 

which  are  strictly  appropriate  to  the  pulpit,)  and 
some  of  the  opinions  wiiich  he  advanced  were  so 
opposed  to  the  predilections  of  many  of  his  warmest 
admirers  and  devoted  friends,  that  I  well  remember 
to  have  listened  to  the  discourse  with  agitation, 
anxiety,  and  fear.  But  though  the  sermon  was  the 
occasion  of  some  surprise  and  remark,  it  was  fol- 
lowed, however,  by  no  harsh  censures,  nor  any 
degree  of  unkindness  and  ill  will.  The  well-known 
sincerity  of  the  Bishop,  his  elevation  of  sentiment 
and  freedom  from  vulgar  prejudices,  were  a  sufficient 
assurance  to  his  hearers  that  he  had  expressed  the 
honest  and  settled  convictions  of  his  mind;  and  if 
there  were  any  among  us  who  doubted  the  expe- 
diency of  the  measure,  there  were  none  who  ques- 
tioned the  purity  of  his  motives.  The  object  of  the 
discourse  was  to  institute  a  comparison  between  the 
United  States  of  America  and  some  of  the  countries 
in  Europe  through  which  he  had  travelled,  and  to 
show  that  the  people  of  this  infant  nation,  so  infe- 
rior in  the  arts  which  adorn  and  embellish  life,  in 
the  munificent  foundations  of  learning,  in  the  ven- 
erable monuments  of  glory  and  power,  in  the  re- 
finements of  polished  society,  were  still  favoured  in 
many  respects  with  such  distinguishing  advantages 
as  ought  to  make  them  grateful,  contented,  and 
happy.  I  am  persuaded,  from  my  own  observation, 
after  a  journey  through  these  very  countries,  where 
I  travelled  with  a  delight  which  softened  down  the 
prejudices  of  education  and  habit,  and  the  recollec- 
tion of  which  has  thrown  a  reflected  charm  over  the 
rest  of  my  life,  that  no  one  could  return  to  our  own 
without  strong  feelings  of  complacency  and  pride. 


332  WEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

The  Bishop  takes  only  a  rapid  glance  of  the 
points  of  comparison  between  some  of  the  countries 
©n  the  Continent  of  Europe  and  our  own;  and  had 
his  observations  been  confined  to  these,  they  would 
have  excited  but  little  interest,  and  led  to  no  ani- 
madversion. But  he  entered  into  a  discussion  of 
the  most  delicate  nature,  where  it  was  much  more 
easy  to  arouse  a  jealous  sensibility  than  to  secure  a 
sober  attention  to  reason  and  truth.  He  ventured 
to  compare  this  country  with  England,  and  to  dis- 
pute her  pre-eminence  in  some  of  those  very  respects 
in  which  she  places  her  chief  glory  and  pride. 
Though  not  withholding  the  acknowledgment,  that 
as  from  the  first  of  European  nations  we  have 
drawn  our  origin,  so  we  have  also  derived  from  it 
our  admirable  principles  of  civil  freedom ;  yet  he 
contends  that  we  have  carried  them  to  a  higher 
point,  elevated  the  character  and  condition  of  the 
great  mass  of  the  people,  and  increased  incalculably 
their  peace,  their  comfort,  and  happiness.  But, 
much  as  he  values  our  civil  liberty,  it  is  the  religious 
freedom  of  our  country  which,  in  his  view,  consti- 
tutes our  highest  boast.  Protected  in  her  privileges, 
without  the  slightest  degree  of  control  and  restraint, 
religion  is  suffered  to  make  her  own  way  to  the 
hearts  and  consciences  of  men,  and  the  cause  of 
truth,  unembarrassed  by  political  arrangements  or 
popular  prejudices,  proceeds  without  obstruction  to 
that  triumph  which  it  must  eventually  obtain.  Here 
the  connexion  between  the  pastor  and  his  flock  is 
voluntary  on  the  part  of  both.  The  former  is 
brought  into  this  relation  entirely  from  esteem  for 
his  talents,  piety,  and  worth,  and  the  latter  are  dis- 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  S33 

posed  to  be  pleased  with  the  object  of  their  choice. 
But  there  the  livings,  being  in  the  gift  of  individuals, 
corporations,  or  the  government,  are  liable  to  be 
made  subservient  to  the  private  views  of  individuals 
or  families,  and  to  present  an  inducement  very  often 
to  enter  into  the  holy  ministry  with  a  great  admix- 
ture of  worldly  motives. 

Besides,  there  is  no  easy  or  practicable  mode  in 
which  this  connexion,  that  is  entirely  independent 
of  the  choice  or  wishes  of  the  congregation,  can  be 
dissolved.  For  "  such  are  the  gross  and  lament- 
able obstructions  to  the  exercise  of  discipline,  from 
the  complicated  provisions  and  forms  of  the  eccle- 
siastical law,  that  common  and  even  serious  clerical 
irregularities  are  not  noticed." 

The  Bishop  proceeds  to  observe,  not  in  a  spirit 
of  censoriousness,  but  of  unfeigned  regret,  that 
"  the  mode  of  support  by  tythes,  though  part  of  the 
original  tenure  of  property,  is  still  calculated  to 
prevent,  in  many  cases,  that  cordial  and  affectionate 
intercourse  between  the  minister  and  people"  which 
is  so  common  and  endearing  among  ourselves.  He 
then  attempts  to  show  that  the  arrangements  of  our 
own  Church  are  decidedly  preferable,  both  for  the 
maintenance  of  the  clergy  and  the  exercise  of  dis- 
cipline. 

He  afterwards  adverts  to  the  extraordinary  and 
inappropriate  prerogative  of  the  king,  through  his 
ministry,  to  designate  the  persons  who  shall  be 
chosen  for  the  Episcopal  office,  whose  authority  is 
entirely  divine,  and  the  absolute  incapacity  of  the 
clergy  to  exercise  their  ecclesiastical  power  inde- 
pendently of  the  state.     But  here  no  secular  au- 


334  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

thority  can  interfere  with  our  high  ecclesiastical 
assembly,  nor  control  her  legitimate  powers. 

And  finally,  he  contends  that  the  theological  re- 
quisitions for  the  ministry,  and  the  provisions  for 
theological  education  in  the  Episcopal  Church  in 
America,  are  much  superior  to  those  in  the  Church 
of  England. 

These  several  positions  are  illustrated  with  as 
much  clearness,  and  supported  with  as  much  force 
of  argument  as  could  reasonably  be  expected  within 
the  brief  compass  of  an  ordinary  discourse.  The 
treatment  of  the  whole  subject  is  kind,  respectful, 
and  decorous,  without  the  slightest  infusion  of  bit- 
terness, malevolence,  or  scorn.  Though,  therefore, 
to  those  who  were  brought  up  in  loyal  attachment 
to  the  civil  institutions  of  England,  and  in  habitual 
reverence  for  the  Church,  these  pretensions  might 
have  seemed  high  and  unwarrantable,  yet  there 
was  nothing  in  them  to  provoke  the  indignation  of 
a  generous  mind.  They  should  have  been  answered 
in  the  frank  and  liberal  spirit  with  which  they  were 
made;  but  the  fi:rst  notice  of  them  was  steeped  in 
wormwood  and  gall.  There  never  was  any  thing 
from  the  British  press  which  was  more  unworthy 
of  it,  and  never  any  thing  which  called  forth,  in 
England  itself,  a  more  noble  and  generous  vindica- 
tion.* A  few  instances  of  this  magnanimity  on 
each  side  of  the  Atlantic  would  put  away  all  bitter- 
ness and  wrath,  and  make  us  no  longer  feel  like 
aliens,  but  brethren. 

It  has  been  ascertained  that  the  critique  on  the 

*  From  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Rose. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  335 

sermon,  which  appeared  in  the  Quarterly  Theolo- 
gical Review,  was  written  by  a  Mr.  Croley,  from 
Ireland,   residing  in  London — v^ho    had  previously 
published  one  or  two  poems,  which  gave  the  promise, 
in  any  future  productions,  of  a  better  style  and  taste  ; 
for  the  review   is  a  tissue  of  vulgarity,  ignorance, 
presumption,  and  folly.     He  represents  the  Bishop 
as  "  signalizing  his  first  appearance  in  the  American 
pulpit  on  his  return  from  the  hospitality  and  mark- 
ed attentions  of  the  British  clergy,  by  a  laboured, 
unmeasured,  and    most  unfounded   attack    on   the 
Church  of  England,"  as   "  sacrificing  the  conven- 
tional honour  of  society,  and  the  still  more  delicate 
honour  of  his  cloth,  to  the  sovereign  mandate  of 
his  majesty  the  mob ;"  as  "  thinking  only  of  a  vulgar 
flourish  to  announce  his  arrival  in  America ;"  as 
"  laying  upon  his  cushion  for  a  sermon  a  political 
pamphlet,   and  calling    upon    his  congregation   to 
rejoice  in  the  superiority  of  their  obscure  Church 
over  the  fallen  and  decrepid  grandeur  of  the  mighty 
Church  of  England."     He  looks  upon  the  sermon 
as  a  painful  proof  that  every  public  man  in  America 
"  is  under  mental  duress,^''  and  that  the  high  road 
to  authority  is  to  please  the  populace.    "  Popularity 
is  there  the  supreme  good,  the  twenty  thousand  of 
the  wheel,  that  '  richest  and  golden  merchandise' 
that  justifies  every  man's  venture  and  submission 
to  all  the  capricious  fluctuations  of  the  wave  and 
wind.     It  is  this  that  has  compelled  so  respectable 
a  man  as  Dr.  Hobart  to  consult  its  will,  even  in  his 
absence,  by  gleaning  up  abuses  palatable   to  the 
popular  taste,  and  by  employing  the  first  moments 
of  his  return  to  assure  his  countrymen  that  neither 


336  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

the  brilliancy  of  France,  nor  the  classic  glories  of 
Italy,  nor  the  hereditary  wisdom,  power,  and  pru- 
dence of  England,  have  shaken  his  inborn  admira- 
tion of  the  land  of  swamps,  the  yellow  fever,  and 
universal  suffrage." 

But  he  endeavours  to  account  for  this  on  the 
supposition  that  "  those  vague  and  clamorous  foole- 
ries about  government  and  religion  which  pass 
from  the  lips  of  noisy  ignorance  into  the  ears  of 
ignorance  silent  and  submissive — that  kind  of  dis- 
quisition which  flourishes  in  the  columns  of  a  news- 
paper, gives  an  hour's  importance  to  the  debates  of 
the  ale-house,  or  a  desperate  consistency  to  an 
Atheistical  review,  must  have  come  athwart  the 
stranger's  first  perceptions."  But  "  for  all  this,  it 
might  be  but  fair  to  make  a  handsome  admission 
for  the  surprise  of  faculties  new  to  the  topic — for 
the  natural  unacquaintance  of  a  man,  born  and  bred 
three  thousand  miles  off,  with  the  spirit,  literature, 
and  laws  of  England — and  most  of  all,  for  the  vision- 
ary weakness  and  pastoral  simplicity  of  the  gentle 
shepherd  of  an  obscure  flock  on  the  edge  of  the 
wilderness."  "  This  American  Prelate,  dispensing 
his  Sunday  sermon  to  his  city  congregation  in  his 
fashionable  chapel,  little  knows  the  life  of  the 
measureless  majority  of  the  clergy  of  England." 

After  this  preliminary  strain  of  vulgar  abuse,  the 
very  coarseness  of  which  is  surpassed  by  its  absur- 
dity and  folly,  the  reviewer  attempts  to  overthrow 
the  positions  advanced  in  the  sermon  by  argument ; 
but  he  does  not  meet  the  subject  with  fairness  and 
candour,  turning  most  disingenuously  and  sophisti- 
cally  the  liberal  concessions  of  the  Bishop  against 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  337 

himself,  disregarding  his  distinctions  between  the 
spiritual  character  of  the  Church  of  England  and 
the  evils  which  it  suffers  from  her  connexion  with 
the  State,  evading  some  of  the  points  at  issue,  and 
relying  more  upon  ridicule  in  all,  than  upon  reason 
and  truth. 

The  review,  however,  is  so  rambling  and  discursive 
as  scarcely  to  admit  of  a  regular  analysis,  and  no 
fears  need  be  entertained  of  the  impression  which  it 
will  make,  in  referring  the  reader  to  the  article  itself.* 

The  writer,  who  appeared  in  the  course  of  the 
article  on  the  Bishop's  sermon  to  have  collected 
together  all  the  topics  of  abuse  which  have  beei 
so  common  against  our  country  itself,  mounts  up 
by  a  regular  gradation  to  the  very  climax,  and 
concludes  it  with  such  an  exhibition  of  ignorance, 
absurdity,  and  madness,  that  we  can  neither  restrain 
our  laughter  nor  contempt. 

"  Dr.  Hobart  came  to  England  under  peculiar 
circumstances.  We  must  acknowledge,  that  what- 
ever may  be  the  labours  or  the  learning  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  in  New- York,  it  had  hitherto 
much  escaped  notice  in  England.  Wlmtever  may 
be  the  merit  of  its  virtues,  it  had  lost  none  by  a 
too  ambitious  publicity.  We  hear  a  good  deal  in 
the  Doctor's  pamphlet  of  the  literary  education  of 
its  pastors.  But  their  literature  had  confined  itself 
to  the  modest  but  doubtless  meritorious  cultivation 
of  the  native  mind  ;  and  content  with  fame  on  one 
side  of  the  Atlantic,  it  apparently  scorned  the 
clamorous  competitions  of  European  theology. 

*  Christian  Journal,  New- York,  for  1826. 

43 


338  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

"  We  confidently  hope  tliat  this  gentleman  will 
feel  the  suitableness  of  henceforth  abjuring  politics, 
and  be  content  with  the  popularity   for  which   he 
has  paid  so  hard  a  price.     We  shall  probably  hear 
no  more  of  him  than  we  have  heard  of  his  associate 
theologians.     His  faculties  may  be  well  occupied 
in  America;    for,  after  all,  it  is  from  Episcopacy 
that  we  must  expect  whatever  of  religious  decorum 
and    sound   doctrine   is   to   be   the    portion  of  the 
Western  world.     All  things   there   are   too   much 
tossed  about  in  the  yeasty  ocean  of  Republicanism. 
The  religious  chart  of  America  is  still  the  melan- 
choly   counterpart  of  its  pliysical  one  ;    here   and 
there  little    traces  of  life   among  endless  sweeps 
of  sectarian  barbarism  ;   the  land  overspread  with 
Dunkers  and  Thumpers,  and  Memnonists  and  Jum- 
pers, enthusiasts  gay  and  gloomy,  yet  all  counting ; 
the  slaves  of  strange  and  unscriptural  folly,  or  giddy 
and  presumptuous  ignorance,  or  reckless  and  re- 
volting passions  ;   a  vast  hilarious  and  holy  rabble, 
drugged  by  the  cup  of  Fanaticism." 

Before  I  proceed  to  notice  the  answer  to  this 
article  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Rose,  which  appeared  in 
the  Christian  Remembrancer,  and  which  evinced 
the  generosity  of  a  true  Briton,  proud  of  his  country, 
and  yet,  with  a  mind  enlarged  and  liberalized  by 
foreign  travel,  not  insensible  to  the  excellencies  of 
others,  it  will  not  be  amiss  to  state  under  what 
impressions  Bishop  Hobart  visited  England.  From 
my  earliest  recollections  of  him,  he  carried  his 
respect  for  that  country  to  a  degree  of  veneration, 
which,  with  narrow  and  prejudiced  minds  among 
ourselves,  might  have  almost  rendered  his  patriot- 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  ilKISRY  HOBART. 


339 


isin  questionable,     lie  looked  upon  her,  as  he  has 
sincerely  declared   in    his   sermon,    as   the   first  of 
European    nations;    surpassing    all    others    in   her 
institntions,   her  laws,  and  the  moral  worth  of  her 
people.     He    regarded   tiie   Church  of  England  as 
the   bulwark   of  Christendom,   and   felt   almost   as 
deep  an   interest  in   her  concerns   as  our  own.     I 
never  knew  any  one  who  more  deeply  deplored  the 
late   unhappy   contest    between   the  two  countries, 
which,  enkindling  former  animosities,  and  breaking 
up  the  friendly  relations  which   had   been  reviving 
between  them,  seemed  to   pnt  tiiose  more  widely 
asunder  than  ever,  who  were  bound  to  each   other 
by   so    many   endearing    and    common    ties.     But, 
greatly  as  he  valued  that  nation,  he  did  not  regard 
it  with  a  blind  admiration.     His  intimate  acquaint- 
ance with  the  politics,  the  literature,  the  social  and 
religious  state  of  England,  derived  from  his  reading, 
his    correspondence,    and    his  large    and   constant 
intercourse  with  strangers,  and  the  habit  whicii  his 
acute     and    discriminating     mind    had    formed    of 
viewing  every  subject  in  its  true  and   proper  light, 
had  left  but  little  for  him   to  acquire  from  personal 
observation  in  visiting  that  country.     The  opinions 
wl'.ich   he  advanced   in   his  sermon,  on  the  defects 
and  abuses  in  the  Church  of  England,  which  stood, 
as  he  conceived,  in  the  way  of  her  spiritual  advance- 
ment and  glory,  and  the  superiority  in  certain  points 
of  our   own,   were   in    the   main   such  as    he  often 
expressed   to   his  familiar  and   coiifitlcntial  friends. 
t!^ome  of  them   indeed,    in    regard   to   the   former, 
were  strengthened   beyond   his  wishes  by  a  nearer 
inspection;    but    they  were  not,    however,    in  any 


340  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

respect  very  materially  chanj^ed.  He  remarked 
also,  after  his  return,  that  he  had  freely  expressed 
the  same  sentiments  in  England  to  the  true  and 
zealous  friends  of  the  Church,  some  of  whom  saw 
the  evils  with  regret,  but  lamented  that  they  could 
devise  no  remedy  for  them. 

I  well  remember  a  conversation  which  took  place 
at  a  dinner  party  in  Montreal,  a  short  time  before 
he  left  this  country,  which  will  show  tiiat  one  of 
the  positions  which  he  afterwards  took  in  his  ser- 
mon was  not  a  novelty.     The  company  consisted 
of  two  or  three  officers  in  the  British  army,  a  few 
American  gentlemen  who  were  settled  in  Canada, 
a  highly  respected  clergyman  and  scholar  of  the 
Church  of  England,  who  was  educated  at  one  of 
the  Universities,  the  Bishop,  and  myself.     I  do  not 
recollect  in  what  way  the  discourse  took  a  turn, 
which  was  so  new  and  surprising  to  several  of  the 
guests,   though  I  have  a  distinct  impression  that 
the  discussion  to  which  I  allude  was  not  introduced 
with    discourtesy    and    unkindness.      The    Bishop 
took  the  ground,  that  the  provision  for  theological 
education  in  our  Church  was  more  ample,  and  the 
preparation   for    the   ministry  more  thorough   and 
effectual  for  general  usefulness,  than  in  the  Church 
of  England.     He   yielded   without   reserve  to  the 
great  and  acknowledged  superiority  of  the  latter  in 
all  other  branches  of  human  learning.     He  did  not 
pretend  to  compare  the  results  of  this  infant  system 
with  the  splendid  labours  of  some  of  their  divines. 
The  advantages  which  they  enjoyed  from  a  more 
enlarged  plan  of  academical  education,  from  situa- 
tions of  learned    leisure,    and   entire   freedom    in 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN   HENRY   HOBART.  341 

many  instances  from  parochial  cares,  enabled  tliem 
very  often  to  rise  to  sucii  a  degree  of  eminence  as 
few  of  ours  could  ever  expect  to  reach.     But  he, 
nevertheless,   maintained  that  the  course  of  theolo-  . 
gical  study  prescribed  for  all  who  were  destined  for 
the  ministry  in  our  Church,  and  the  opportunities 
for  extending  this  course  in  our  General  Seminary, 
were   calculated  to   make   our  clergy,    as  a  body, 
much  better  theologians  than  the  great  mass  of  the 
clergy  in  England.     There,  in  fact,  there  was  no 
indispensable  standard  which  all  must  attain.     The 
divinity  lectures  in    the   Universities,   which    were 
common   to  all  the  students,  must  of  necessity  be 
attended  by  those  who  were  designed  for  orders, 
but  there  was  no  other  public  provision  for  theo- 
logical   education.      Private    instruction,    personal 
diligence,    and    the    high    rewards   which    awaited 
professional  distinction,  must  accomplish   the  rest. 
The  discussion  was   free    and    animated,   and    the 
novelty  of  these  pretensions,  it  appeared  to  me,  did 
not  occasion  more  surprise,  than  perplexity  in  an- 
swering them. 

When  Bishop  Ilobart  also  was  in  Rome,  he  had 
a  conversation  on  a  subject  very  nearly  allied  to 
this,  with  a  distinguished  personage,  for  whose 
rank  and  character,  as  well  as  for  the  kind  atten- 
tions which  he  had  received  from  him,  he  enter- 
tained the  highest  respect.  In  a  very  frank  and 
friendly  manner  it  was  suggested  by  Lord  Sandon, 
that  probably  tiie  state  of  society  in  the  United 
States  was  not  so  favour.ible  to  literary  excellence 
as  in  England.  The  Bishop,  in  reply,  did  not 
contend  that  it  was  so  generally,  but  he  ventured 


342  IMliMOm  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

to  express  his  opinion  of  our  superiority  in  pulpit 
eloquence.  He  did  not  mean  to  apply  the  obser- 
vation to  the  ?olid  qualities  of  that  art,  but  merely 
to  the  mode  of  exhibiting  those  qualities  in  the 
matter,  the  arrangement,  and  tlie  general  style  and 
delivery  of  sermons,  so  as  to  produce  the  greatest 
impression  on  a  mixed  auditory. 

It  is  a  pleasing  circumstance,  however,  that  the 
defence  of  Bishop  Hobart  was  not  left  to  his  own 
clergy,  but  was  most  triumphantly  made  by  a 
clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England.  His  opinions 
on  this  question  being  entirely  uninfluenced  by  any 
other  consideration  than  a  regard  to  the  interests 
of  justice  and  truth,  were  therefore  received  with 
no  more  suspicion  on  one  side  of  the  Atlantic,  than 
with  gratitude  on  the  other.  In  noticing  the  answer 
to  the  review,  by  Mr.  Rose,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know 
what  parts  of  it  to  select,  where  all  is  so  admirable. 
"  Bishop  Hobart,"  he  remarks,  "  had  been  com- 
pelled by  ill  health  (brought  on  by  over  exertion  in 
his  arduous  duties,)  to  seek  the  benefit  of  an 
European  climate.  His  return  was  marked  by  a 
greeting  so  cordial  and  heartfelt,  as  to  do  honour 
alike  to  those  who  gave,  and  him  who  received  it ; 
and  on  his  first  appearance  in  his  church,  he 
addressed  his  congregation  on  the  comparative 
merits  of  the  countries  he  had  just  been  visiting, 
and  that  which  had  so  afiectionately  welcomed  his 
return. 

**  When  it  is  insinuated  that  he  deceived  those 
who  treated  him  with  kindness,  with  hypocritical 
pretences  of  respect — that  while  he  quietly  sub- 
mitted to  be  loaded  with  attentions,  he  was  intend- 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  343 

itig  to  repay  them  with  abuse — when  it  is  said,  that 
he  did  this  to  curry  favour  with  a  mob  ;  and  that  to 
the  same  paltry  motive  he  sacrificed  the  honour  of 
a  gentleman  and  the  character  of  a  clergyman  ;  I 
may  well  ask,  what  worse  could  be  said  or  in- 
sinuated 1  If  there  is  one  man  on  earth  to  whom  a 
charge  of  insincerity  applies  less  than  another — if 
there  is  one  man  who,  from  his  native  and  honest 
simplicity,  can  look  down  on  it  with  more  lofty 
contempt — if  there  is  one  man  who  has  more 
entirely  despised  popularity,  and  set  himself  with 
honest  vigour  to  stem  the  current  of  popular 
opinion — that  man  is  Bishop  Hobart.  From  the 
very  hour  in  which  his  career  commenced,  lie  has 
been  in  principle  the  open  defender  of  the  most 
extreme  high  Church  principles — principles  cer- 
tainly not  likely  to  be  popular  with  Americans.  He 
has  defended  them  against  open  foes  from  without, 
and  against  not  less  dangerous  foes  in  the  garb  of 
friends  within.  He  has  ever  set  himself,  in  a 
country  where  all  sects  are  tolerated  alike,  to  oppose 
that  union  of  sects  for  the  distribution  of  the  Scrip- 
tures which  has  caused  so  much  dissension  in  this 
country,  and  he  has  in  consequence  been  assailed 
with  abuse  and  reviling  almost  unparalleled.  No- 
thing, indeed,  but  entire  ignorance  of  facts,  could 
have  induced  the  reviewer  to  charge  an  American 
divine,  who  has  opposed  the  Bible  Society  and 
advocated  high  Church  principles,  with  making 
sacrifices  to  popularity.  That  ignorance  of  facts 
shows  itself  still  more  clearly  when  he  next  speaks 
of  Bishop  H.  as  a  chapel  preacher  to  a  city  audience 
Let  him   take  down  his  map,    and   when   he    has 


344  IMKMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

measured  the  distance  from  the  Falls  of  Niagara,  let 
liim  be  informed  that  that  place,  with  others  almost 
equally  distant,  is  in  tlie  round  of  Bishop  Hobart's 
visitations,  and  then  let  him  blush  for  having  spoken 
of  a  man  whose  unsparing  exertions  in  his  profes- 
sion have  rendered   a  valuable  life  precarious  and 
painful,  as    '  a  dispenser  of  Sunday  sermons  to  a 
city   congregation    in   a   fashionable  chapel.'     But 
the  most  intolerable  part  of  the   review  is  the  in- 
sinuation, that  while  Bishop  H.  was  receiving  all 
sorts  of  civilities,  and  even  '  took  leave  with  decla- 
rations of  respect  and  grateful  remembrance,'  he  was 
hunting   for   abuses,  and   preparing  to  pour  out  a 
flood  of  vituperation   on   the   Church  of  England. 
The  charge  is  most  unjust  and  unfounded. 

"  Bishop  Hobart  did  not  come  here  to  hunt  for 
abuses,  but  to  revive  wasting  spirits  and  recruit 
departing  strength;  so  far  from  coming  with  a 
prejudice  against  us,  he  came  with  the  strongest 
admiration  of  England,  and  the  strongest  belief  of 
her  superiority  on  most  points ;  and,  whether  wrong 
or  right,  the  conviction  of  her  inferiority  on  some 
points  was  forced  on  him,  against  his  former  belief, 
during  his  residence  here.  He  came  as  a  traveller 
of  ample  fortune,*  and  of  high  station  in  a  Church 
nearly  allied  to  our  own ;  he  received  no  attention 
and  no  mark  of  respect  which  were  not  due  to  his 

*  In  tJiis  the  writer  was  mistaken.  The  unlimited  hospitahty 
and  charity  of  the  Bishop,  even  with  an  ample  income,  never 
allowed  him  to  acquire  a  fortune.  The  munificence  of  the  wealthy 
and  liberal  corporation  of  which  he  was  the  head,  furnished  him 
with  a  carte  blanche  for  the  extraordinary  expenses  of  his  tour  in 
Europe. 


RKJHT  REV.  JOHN  HENUY  HOBART.  345 

station,  his  character,  and  his  talents; — he  made  no 
declarations  of  respect  and  grateful  remembrance 
which  he  did  not  feel;  and,  lastly,  he  openly  and 
unreservedly  expressed,  ichile  in  England,  precisely 
the  same  opinions  on  our  policy  in  Church  and 
State  ichich  he  has  expressed  in  his  sermony* 

*  In  regard  to  the  connexion  of  the  Church  of  England  with  the 
State,  he  not  only  entertained,  but  long  before  had  publicly  declared, 
these  sentiments,  accompanied,  at  the  same  time,  with  expressions 
of  profound  admiration  and  respect  for  that  Church  in  her  appro- 
priate and  spiritual  character.  And  to  show  their  sincerity,  it  is 
only  necessary  to  remark,  that  those  favourable  opinions  were 
published  at  a  most  delicate  and  critical  juncture,  during  the  late 
war  between  England  and  the  United  States.  In  a  sermon  which 
he  preached  in  1814,  at  the  consecration  of  Bishop  Moore,  he 
alluded  with  complacency  and  pride  to  the  origin  of  our  Church. 

"  In  boasting  of  our  origin  from  the  Church  of  England,"  he 
observes,  that  "  he  does  not  contemplate  her  as  enriched  with 
secular  wealth,  adorned  with  secular  honours,  or  defended  by  the 
secular  arm.  Of  the  poZicy  of  this  union  of  the  civil  and  ecclesias- 
tical authority,  so  that  the  latter,  in  commutation  for  the  wealth 
and  patronage  of  the  former,  relinquishes  a  portion  of  her  legitimate 
spiritual  powers,  and  is  in  danger  of  being  viewed  as  the  mere 
creature  of  human  institution,  and  of  being  made  the  engine  of  state 
policy,  there  have  been  sound  Churchmen,  even  of  her  own  com- 
munion, who  have  entertained  serious  doubts. 

"  Nor  is  the  Church  of  England  contemplated  in  connexion  with 
the  character  or  conduct  of  the  government  or  nation  where  she  is 
established,  concerning  which  wise  and  good  men,  and  within  the 
knowledge  of  him  who  addresses  you,  correct  and  exemplary 
Churchmen,  entertain  very  different  opinions ;  and  your  preacher 
would  deprecate,  as  unsound  in  principle  and  most  impolitic  in  its 
results,  any  connexion  of  our  Church,  as  a  religious  communion, 
with  the  principles  and  views  of  political  parties. 

"  Nor  does  he  contemplate  the  Church  of  England  in  that  par- 
ticular organization  of  her  government,  and  those  local  ecclesiastical 
appendages  which  involve  no  essential  principle  of  Church  order, 

44 


346  MEMOIIl  OP  THE  LlPE  OP  THE 

"  I  make  this  public  contradiction  of  these  things 
out  of  a  mere  sense  of  duty  to  one  whose  friendship 
I  vakie  in  the  highest  degree,  and  of  whom,  though 
the  '  wide  waste  of  waters'  between   us  forbids  any 
hope  of  personal  intercourse,  I  shall  ever  cherish  the 
most  lively  and  affectionate  remembrance.     Many 
more  learned  men   I    have   known — some    men  as 
amiable — some    men    as    deeply,    as    unaffectedly 
pious — some  men  as  much  and  as  piously  devoted 
to  their  holy  calling:  but  it  has  not  very  often  been 
my  lot  (and  J  thitdc   the  declaration  might  be  made 
by  most  men)  to  know  one  who  united  so  many 
claims  to  respect  and  affection. 

"  Let  us  now  proceed  to  the  sermon  itself;  and  I 
do  not  hesitate  to  say,  liowever  much  I  may  dissent 
from  the  opinions  contained  in  it,  that  if  even  one 
part  be  produced,  written,  as  the  reviewer  asserts 
the  whole  is,  in  a  malevolent  spirit — in  a  petty  feel- 

"  But  in  boasting  of  our  origin  from  the  Church  of  England,  he 
views  her  merely  as  a  sjjiritual  society,  possessing  the  faith,  the 
order,  and  the  worship  which  were  the  characteristics  and  the  glory 
of  the  primitive  ages  of  the  Church. 

"  We  boast  then  of  our  origin  from  a  Church  which,  in  renounc- 
ing the  despotic  claims  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  tempered  with  such 
singular  felicity,  zeal  and  ardour,  with  prudence  and  moderation, 
as  to  reject  the  errors,  the  superstitions,  and  corruptions  of  that 
Church,  while  she  retained  the  primitive  faith,  order,  and  worship, 
which  those  errors,  superstitions,  and  corruptions,  had  debased  and 
disfigured,  but  with  which  ihey  were  so  intimately  mingled  as  to 
render  the  separation  a  work  of  extreme  difficulty  and  imminent 
hazard.  We  boast  of  our  origin  from  a  Church  which,  in  reference 
to  the  soundness  of  her  principles,  the  talents  and  piety  of  her 
clergy,  and  her  efforts  in  the  cause  of  the  reformation,  still  maintains 
the'  proud  title  which  at  the  fu;it  she  acquired,  of  being  the  glory  of 
the  reformed  Churches.'^ 


UIGHT  KEV.  JOHN  IIENKY  HOBAllT.  347 

lug  of  national  dislike — in  a  wish  to  fan  national 
prejudices — I  give  up  t!»e  cause.  Such  a  charge 
comes  with  peculiar  justice  from  a  reviewer  who 
believes  and  has  causelessly  repeated  every  calumny 
put  forth  by  the  outcasts  of  English  society  who 
have  travelled  in  America — by  a  reviewer  who 
talks  of  the  *  tavern  existence  of  America — of  her 
captains  and  colonels  who  serve  out  their  own  gin 
— of  judges  who  give  up  their  duty  to  practise  with 
rifles  for  their  next  duel — of  the  slave  markets, 
gougings,  scalpings,  and  otlier  abundant  and  brilliant 
proofs  of  the  forest  blood  and  Indian  inheritance  of 
the  virgin  soil  of  liberty.'  The  reviewer  is  one  of 
that  enormous  class  of  Englishmen  who  are  exas- 
perated into  fury  by  a  hint  that  any  thing  among  us 
falls  short  of  perfeclion.  *  *  *.  This  belief  and 
these  feelings  make  us  deservedly  objects  of  dislike 
and  ridicule  among  our  neighbours." 

Mr.  Rose  then  takes  a  most  calm  and  dispassion- 
ate view  of  the  subject  matter  of  the  discourse. 
The  occasion  of  it  he  considers  reasonable;  the 
preference  which,  on  many  accounts,  the  Bishop 
gives  to  his  own  country,  was  natural;  and  though 
some  of  the  conclusions  to  which  he  came  might  be 
erroneous,  yet  they  were  not  to  be  regarded  as 
proofs  of  malevolence  or  ill-will. 

He  notices,  in  the  same  candid  and  liberal  spirit, 
the  Bishop's  remarks  on  the  Cimrch  of  England. 
He  differs  from  him  widely  on  several  points,*  but 


*  For  fuller  information  on  these  points,  the  answer  itself  should 
be  consulted,  which  was  republished  in  the  Christian  Journal  fof 
November,  1826,  vol.  x.  p.  341. 


348  MEMOIK  OF  Till:  LIFE  OF  THE 

agrees  with  him  entirely  in  others.  He  regards  it 
as  "  a  serious  evil  that  there  is  no  regular  education 
for  the  ministry  in  the  Ciiurch  of  England,"  and 
considers  it  a  great  hardship  that  she  has  not  the 
power  "  of  regulating  her  own  affairs,  and  that  she 
is  subjected  to  lay-legislation ;  while  in  practice 
the  grievance  is  not  lessened,  since  even  bishops' 
ordination  questions  have  been  canvassed  in  Parlia- 
ment by  radical  peers  and  infidel  commoners." 

"  On  the  other  complaints  made  by  Bishop 
Hobart,  the  opinions  of  true  and  zealous  Church- 
men will  be  more  divided.  By  some,  the  matters 
to  which  they  relate  may  be  judged  to  be  necessary 
evils;  by  some,  to  be  difficult  or  impossible  of 
remedy;  by  many,  to  be  no  evils  at  all."  "  But 
still,  the  points  on  which  he  has  spoken  are  not 
fancies  of  his  own  creation,  but  have  often  obtained 
the  notice  of  the  sincerest  friends  of  the  Church." 

"  For  myself  I  can  only  say,  that  if,  after  a  sojourn 
in  America,  in  speaking  of  American  Episcopacy,  I 
were  to  urge  the  strong  tendency  of  an  election  for 
the  high  office  of  bishop  to  produce  intrigue,  party 
feeling,  and  dispute  among  the  clergy — if  I  were  to 
state  my  exceeding  dislike  to  make  the  clergy  de- 
pendent on  the  voluntary  contributions  of  the  laity 
for  support,  and  my  belief  that  such  a  mode  of  pro- 
vision would  deprive  them  of  that  freedom  of  rebuke 
which  I  judge  essential  to  the  character  of  a  Chris- 
tian minister — if  I  were  to  object  to  the  mixture  of 
laymen  in  their  lower  house  of  convention — if  I 
were  to  state  these  things  in  the  honesty  of  my  heart, 
in  a  deep  conviction  that  these  were  evils,  and  in  an 
iin£^ected  regret  to  see  them  in  a  Church,  for  the 


RIGflT  REV.  JOHN   HENUY  HOBART.  349 

excellencies  of  which,  as  a  true  Episcopalian,  I  had 
the  strongest  respect,  and  for  whose  continuance 
and  extension  I  devoutly  prayed  ;  I  should  feel  both 
surprised  and  grieved  that  any  man  could  be  found 
who  would  proclaim  me  an  abuse  hunter  for  thus 
expressing  my  honest  belief.  But  if  he  went  on  to 
charge  me  with  hypocrisy,  because,  believing  these 
things,  and  stating  my  belief  of  them  to  my  American 
friends  while  ainong  thein,  I  nevertheless  hailed  the 
friendship  of  the  worthy  and  the  good  there  as  a 
boon  and  a  blessing,  and  enjoyed  that  Christian  and 
rational  intercourse  with  them,  which  is  indeed  one 
of  the  world's  best  blessings,  and  which  is  never 
diminished  or  destroyed  between  noble  minds  by 
difference  in  opinion,  while  each  is  assured  of  the 
truth  of  the  other's  heart  and  the  soundness  of  his 
principles;  if  my  accuser  so  misrepresented  me, 
that  those  who  read  his  statements  believed  me  to 
be  mean  enough  to  court  hospitalities  in  a  foreign 
land,  and  to  repay  the  hospitalities  with  abuse;  my 
grief  and  surprise  would  not  rise  into  indignation, 
but  subside  into  contempt.  A  lofty  mind  may  be 
led  to  love  and  to  be  indignant  wrongfully;  for  love 
and  indignation  arc  passions  of  the  noble  mind,  and 
it  is  the  lot  of  man  to  err  and  to  be  deceived ;  but 
such  a  mind  never  lightly  entertains  suspicions  of  a 
mean  and  unworthy  bearing,  and  is  only  brought  by 
clear  and  irresistible  proofs  to  admit  that  others  can 
be  guilty  of  conduct  which  it  would  spurn  with 
indignation  itself." 

I  conclude  that  after  this  free  and  noble  vindica- 
tion of  Bishop  Hobart,  some  extracts  from  Mr. 
Rose's  private  letters  on  this  subject  will  nof  be 


350  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

considered  a  violation  of  thai  delicacy  and  respect 
to  which  he  is  so  peculiarly  entitled. 

"  Horsham,  March  16,  li'>26. 

"  MY  DEAR  FRIEND, 

"  I  received  your  letter  on  the  first  of  March.  I 
had  been  impatiently  expecting  it,  but  still  I  re- 
membered how  many  calls  you  must  have  on  your 
time,  and  checked  my  impatience  as  well  as  I  could. 
I  was  heartily  glad  to  find  that  your  spirits  and 
health  (except  the  temporary  attack  of  cold)  were 
good;  but  I  beseech  you  not  to  give  too  loose  reins 
to  your  active  mind  and  disposition,  for  you  will,  I 
fear,  suffer  if  you  do.  I  have  learned,  by  bitter 
experience  of  the  last  five  or  six  years,  that  an 
abstinence  from  mental  exertion  is  often  quite 
necessary  to  keep  the  stomach,  that  spring  of  life 
and  activity,  in  any  order,  if  it  be  disposed  to  be 
weak.  I  acknowledge  the  pain  and  the  difficulty 
of  such  an  abstinence,  but  your  life  is  loo  valuable 
to  be  trifled  with  ;  for  though  you  may  not  be  able 
to  effect  all  that  you  would  with  stronger  health, 
what  you  do,  what  you  support,  and  what  you  pre- 
vent, is  of  incalculable  good. 

"  1  have  read  your  sermon  with  very  great  plea- 
sure, and  I  concur  in  the  greater  part  of  all  you 
say  as  to  our  Church,  though  on  one  or  two  points 
I  hardly  know  that  I  like  your  plan  so  well.  If  the 
patronage  of  livings  were  in  the  hands  of  bishops, 
I  should  think  all  objections  obviated  on  that  head." 
(The  election  of  bishops  Mr.  Rose  regards  as  a 
perplexing  question.  He  is  aware  of  the  objections 
to  their  method,  but  he  still  thinks  "  iu  a  dominant 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  351 

Church  a  free  election  would  not  be  tolerable." 
He  then  points  out  an  error  into  which  the  Bishop 
has  fallen  in  regard  to  the  general  causes  of  the 
elevation  of  clergymen  in  the  Church  of  England 
to  the  Episcopal  office  ;  and  he  mentions  the  names 
of  several  by  whom  it  is  now  most  honourably 
filled,  who  rose  to  this  exalted  station  without  any 
influence  either  from  interest  or  noble  alliance. 
"  One  of  these,  it  is  true,  was  a  tutor  in  a  noble 
family;  but  where  a  man  receives  five  or  six  pupils 
he  is  very  highly  paid  ;  and  as  he  does  not  devote 
himself  to  one  family,  he  is  never  considered  as 
having  any  claim  to  patronage.  As  another  minor 
error,"  he  remarks,  that  "  there  are  three  professors 
of  divinity  at  Cambridge,  who  all  lecture  either 
regularly  or  occasionally.") 

"  The  part  of  your  sermon  from  which  I  most 
dissent,  is  the  statement  that  the  abject  condition 
of  the  poor  here,  is  the  necessary  consequence  of 
our  having  privileged  orders,  or  at  least  men  far 
exalted  above  others.  I  am  unable  to  trace  any 
necessary  connexion  between  the  two  things.  In 
my  mind,  the  low  state  of  our  poor  arises  from  the 
poor  laws,  which  make  the  rich  the  slaves  of  the 
poor,  and  the  poor  the  slaves  of  the  parish  officers. 
As  they  have  the  parish  relief  to  rely  on,  they  lose 
all  provident  habits ;  and  their  masters,  for  the 
same  reason,  do  not  pay  them  sufficient  wages. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  parish  gives  them  a  mere 
and  bare  sufficiency,  so  that  they  suffer  in  all  ways. 
But  this  is  too  long  a  topic  for  a  letter.  *  *  *.  I 
must  conclude,  though  I  do  so  reluctantly.  Cut  off 
as  I  am  from  all  hopes  of  personal  intercourse  with 


352  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

you,  I  enjoy  the  more  keenly  this  imperfect  com- 
munication, with  one  whom  I  view  with  so  much 
respect  and  affection.  I  shall  depend  on  hearing 
from  you. 

"  Believe  me  ever, 

"Most  truly  and  affectionately  yours, 

♦'  H.  J.  ROSE." 

In  a  different  letter  Mr.  Rose  observes  to  the 
Bishop,  that  if  another  edition  of  the  sermon  were 
called  for,  he  would  do  well  to  correct  one  or  two 
inaccuracies.     He  had  asked  whether  a  portion  of 
the  immense  wealth  of  the  universities  should  not 
be  appropriated  to  the  increase  of  the  accommoda- 
tions for  students,  as  many  were  now  excluded  who 
applied  for   admission.     Mr.  Rose  replies,  that  it 
would  only  be  just  in  regard  to  Cambridge  to  state, 
that  this  had  very  recently  been  done  to  a  great 
extent.    The  new  Observatory  had  been  built,  cost- 
ing nearly  £25,000  (sterling);    the   new  court   at 
Trinity,  which  contains  one  hundred  and  twenty 
persons,  costing  £40,000;  the  splendid  new  build- 
ing at  King's,  costing  £80,000;  and  the  college  of 
Benet,  near  £40,000.     A  new  court  was  just  com- 
mencing  at   St.  John's,  Downing,   had  been   half 
built  within  five  years,  besides,  many  new  edifices 
had  been  erected  at  other  colleges. 

The  following  letter,  which  appears  to  have  been 
written  subsequently,  is  without  a  date. 

"  MY  DEAR  FRIEND, 

"  I  have  received  from  you  your  report  to  the 
convention,  and  your  charge,  which  show  you  un- 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HEPfRY  HOBART.  353 

wearied  in  labour  and  unshaken  in  principle  ;  but  I 
have  not  received,  what  I  wished  for  excessively,  a 
letter  from  you;  pray  let  me  have  the  satisfaction 
of  seeing,  under  your  own  hand,  that  you  are  as 
well  as  I  wish  you  may  be. 

"  With  the  report  there  came  also  two  answers 
to  the  attack  on  you  in  the  Quarterly  Theological 
Journal.  I  was  sorry  that  any  of  your  friends  in 
America  took  the  trouble  of  replying  to  it." 

He  then  adds,  with  regard  to  his  own  notice  of 
the  sermon,  that  he  should  not  have  thought  any 
answer  necessary,  had  the  Bishop  been  half  as  well 
known  in  England  as  he  was  in  his  own  country. 

"I  must  tell  you  that  I  was  sorry  to  see  one  thing 
in  the  Christian  Guardian,  and  that  was  a  general 
attack  on  the  beneficed  clergy  of  England,  and  a 
statement  that  curates  are  the  only  persons  who 
have  any  spiritual  influence  over  the  people.  This 
I  am  sure  is  not  your  opinion.  I  can  conscientiously 
say,  that  it  is  wholly  founded  in  error;  for  though 
it  is  certainly  true,  that,  in  theory,  tithes  are  most 
objectionable,  yet,  in  practice,  a  conscientious  and 
Christian  clergyman,  by  not  insisting  on  his  full 
rights,  avoids  dispute,  and  lives  on  terms  of  peace 
with  his  parishioners  as  much  as  if  tithes  were  not 
in  existence.  You  told  me,  I  remember,  that,  prac- 
tically,  the  payment  of  your  clergy  by  voluntary 
contributions  does  not  diminish  the  freedom  of 
speech  which  they  ought  to  have,  but  which  tlieory 
would  make  it  probable  that,  under  such  a  system, 
they  had  not.  And  so  it  is  with  us — practice  and 
theory,  in  short,  do  not  coincide  more  accurately  in 
this  than  in  other  matters.     Believe  me,  therefore, 

45 


354  MEMOIR  OP  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

that  a  conscientious  and  pious  incumbent  with  us,- 
has  as  much  spiritual  influence  as  a  priest  can  have; 
and,  from  his  suj)erior  power  of  doing  good,  far  more 
influence  than  any  curate  can  possibly  enjoy.  I 
notice  this  at  some  length,  because  general  reflec- 
-  .  lions  on  a  body  always  excite  irritation,  and  it  is,  I 
am  sure,  most  desirable  that  the  Church  of  this 
country  and  yours  should  entertain  a  sincere  and 
genuine  affection  for  each  other.  In  some  points 
they  differ,  indeed,  from  external  circumstances,  but 
in  spirit  they  are  one.  *  *  *. 

"  We  talk  of  you,  think  of  you,  and  wish  for  you 
every  week  of  our  lives.  Alas  !  how  vainly.  How 
improbable  is  it  that  I  shall  ever  have  the  happiness 
of  seeing  you  again !  Yet,  to  the  last  hour  of  my 
life,  unless  I  am  strongly  deceived  in  myself,  I  shall 
think  of  you  with  affection,  and  be  grateful  to  Pro- 
vidence for  giving  me  the  advantage  of  knowing  one 
whose  advice,  whose  energy,  and  whose  example 
will,  I  trust,  not  be  lost  on  me.  *  *  *. 

"  Most  truly  and  affectionately  yours, 

"  H.  J.  ROSE." 

There  are  likewise  some  general  allusions  to  the 
sermon  of  Bishop  Hobart  in  a  letter  from  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Walker,  professor  of  divinity,  and  now  Bishop 
of  Edinburgh,  who,  being  a  clergyman  of  the  Epis- 
copal Church  of  Scotland,  which  has  no  connexion 
with  the  state,  and  who,  standing  in  a  similar  relation- 
to  the  Church  of  England  as  ourselves,  was  enabled 
to  view  this  subject  with  the  utmost  impartiality. 

"  When  I  was  in  London  I  of  course  saw  Mr. 
Norris ;  while  I  was  with  him  he  showed  me  your 


RiailT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOB  ART. 


355 


«ermon,  preached  on  your  return  to  New-York.  I 
met  at  Cambridge  your  friend  Mr.  Rose,  with  whom 
also  1  had  some  conversation  on  tlie  same  subject. 
The  dedication  and  the  introduction  to  that  sermon 
are  indeeci  admirable,  both  in  conception  and  in 
expression.  I  am  as  much  disposed  as  any  man " 
can  be  to  lament  certain  circumstances  and  numer- 
ous legislative  restraints  in  the  Church  of  England, 
in  the  enactment  of  which  tiie  Church,  as  a  body, 
was  never  consulted  ;  nor  do  I  at  all  wonder  that 
you  should  prefer  the  arrangements  of  your  own 
Church  and  country  with  which  you  are  accustom- 
ed, and  the  good  effects  of  which  you  liave  experi- 
enced, to  the  different  arrangements  observed  in 
England.  I  entirely  despise  the  prejudices  which 
would  confine  all  good  to  England,  and  deny  all 
participation  to  other  lands.  With  these  feelings 
in  full  operation,  and  blessing  God,  as  1  do  daily, 
for  the  happy  progress  of  genuine  religion  in 
America,  which  is  so  much  indebted  to  your  zeal 
and  labours,  I  am  still  of  o[)inion  that  some  of  the 
remarks  in  your  sermon  have  been  rashly  hazarded, 
and  witliout  a  sufficient  knowledge  of  the  circum- 
stances of  the  case.  But  these  are  errors  into 
which  all  travellers  are  apt  to  fall,  while,  with  re- 
spect to  your  country,  it  has  too  frequently  happened 
that  malignity  has  been  mixed  up  with  the  errors  of 
hasty  observation.  Every  man  who  knows  you,  or 
who,  without  knowing  you,  reads  your  sermon  in  a 
Christian  spirit,  will  at  once  acquit  you  of  inten- 
tional error,  and  of  unfriendly  retnark.  I  therefore 
was  exceetlingly  shocked  with  the  shameless  ma- 
Jiguity  which,  in  the  shape  of  a  review  in  the  Quar- 


356  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

terly  Theological,  has  been  poured  forth   against 

you." 

Dr.  Walker  concludes  his  letter  in  that  kind  and 
affectionate  strain  which  it  was  almost  the  uniform 
and  enviable  lot  of  the  Bishop  to  draw  forth  even 
from  casual  acquaintances,  as  well  as  from  his  oldest 
friends. 

"  Most  happy  shall  I  be  to  learn  that  your  health 
is  renovated,  and  that  you  are  as  happy  as  you 
could  wish  in  the  bosom  of  your  family  and  in  the 
midst  of  your  affectionate  flock.  Mrs.  Walker  re- 
collects your  visit  to  Edinburgh  with  singular  satis- 
faction, while  I  myself  feel  all  the  warmth,  not  of  a 
recent  acquaintance,  but  of  a  long-tried  friendship, 
which  I  am  most  anxious  to  cultivate  by  occasional 
correspondence,  since  I  cannot  now  hope  for  that 
which  I  would  so  highly  value  from  further  personal 
intercourse." 

There  are  also  some  observations  on  the  Bishop's 
sermon  in  a  letter  from  Sergeant  Sellon,  a  distin- 
guished lawyer,  who  is  no  less  advantageously 
known  in  our  country  than  in  his  own. 

"  Chapter-House,  St.  PauVs,  May  1,  1826. 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR. 

"  I  was  much  gratified  by  the  sight  of  your  hand- 
writing, for  the  next  blessing  to  personal  intercourse 
with  a  friend,  is  a  letter  from  him.  I  had  been  for 
sometime  in  expectation  of  hearing  from  you,  find- 
ing from  the  public  papers  that  you  had  safely 
arrived  at  New- York,  and  been  most  cordially 
received  by  your  countrymen. 

"  Many  thanks  for  your  sermon — but  one  had 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN   HEJXRY  HOBART.  357 

reached  my  hands  before  yours  arrived.  It  is 
written  with  great  nerve  and  spirit,  as  if  the  heart 
felt  what  the  mind  dictated.  I  almost  fancied  you 
in  your  Episcopal  arm-chair  at  the  Chapter-House 
fire-side,  expressing,  in  your  usual  animated  style, 
eulogiums  on  your  country.  But  I  rather  expect 
that  your  animadversions  will  not  pass  sub  silentio. 
Some,  I  believe,  have  taken  umbrage  at  the  sermon, 
but  chiefly  on  account  of  the  notes. 

"  With  regard  to  the  work  itself,  I  concur  with 
you  in  many  main  points,  but  not  in  all.  Whatever 
faults  may  be  inherent  in  our  constitution  by  reason 
of  the  aristocracy,  I  look  upon  an  hereditary  no- 
bility as  a  defence  and  ornament  to  a  state. 

"  And  although  evil  does  in  some  respects  result 
from  the  disposition  of  our  Church  preferment  of 
pluralities  and  the  like,  I  cannot  but  disapprove  of 
ministers  and  pastors  being  placed  in  a  dependent 
state  on  their  congregations,  and  even  exposed  to 
the  temptation  of  seeking  the  favour  of  men  rather 
than  of  God.  As  to  your  mode  of  training  young 
men  to  the  Church,  and  electing  your  ministers 
and  bishops,  it  may  be  fir  preferable,  I  think,  to 
ours;  but,  I  should  like  them,  when  elected,  to  be 
perfectly  independent  by  a  fixed  stipend  or  endow- 
ment." 

In  another  letter  he  writes,  "  I  have  often  la- 
mented the  uncomfortable  sensations  which  I  fear 
were  excited  in  your  mind  by  the  irascible  and  ill 
founded  criticism  which  a[)peared  in  the  Theological 
Quarterly  Review  ;  but  I  think  they  sank  into  in- 
significance by  the  side  of  the  sound,  manly,  and 
sensible  answer  wliich  afterwards  appeared  in  an- 


558  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

Other  periodical  publication.  At  the  same  time,  rf 
every  one  knew  your  heart,  temper,  and  disposition 
as  well  as  myself,  every  ill-natured  observation 
would  have  been  spared."* 

In  the  review  of  the  sermon  in  the  Theological 
Quarterly,  the  writer  of  it  speaks  in  the  most  con- 
temptuous terms  of  that  spiritual  society  which 
derived  its  existence  and  authority  from  his  own. 
He  seems  neither  to  have  been  aware  of  its  origin 

•  There  are  a  few  touches  in  these  lettei-s  which  depict  so  hap- 
pily some  of  the  personal  pecuharities  of  the  Bishop,  that  though 
they  have  no  connexion  with  the  present  suhject,  and  cannot  he 
supposed  to  have  any  interest  for  the  general  reader,  yet  will  he 
striking  and  agreeahle  to  his  particular  friends. 

"  My  wife  and  children  often  talk  of  you,  and  particularly  re- 
quested me  to  give  their  kind  rememhrances  when  I  wrote  to  you. 
We  mean  to  spend  the  autumn  at  our  homestead-cottage,  and 
should  be  happy  to  see  you  stretched  along  the  sofa,  pulling  ofl" 
your  spectacles  and  rubbing  your  head,  as  if  you  felt  yourself  at 
home.  I  enjoy  these  recollections.  But  yet  somehow  the  time 
passed  over  without  my  receiving  that  profit  from  your  visit  which 
I  ought  to  have  done — there  was  too  much  hurry — always  on  the 
wing — and  although  I  felt  myself  benefited  by  occasional  serious 
conversation,  yet  it  was  but  occasional.  Want  of  time,  broken 
calls,  interruption  of  others  present,  and  accidental  circumstances, 
disturbed  the  calm  and  composure  of  private  intercourse,  and 
checked  as  it  were  in  its  progress,  the  stream  of  instruction  which 
would  have  otherwise  flowed  from  your  lips. 

"  Your  sermons  still  afford  me  much  pleasure  and  satisfaction ; 
and  your  appendix  hath  fully  confirmed  my  ideas  of  the  state  of  tlic 
departed.  It  is,  I  think,  clear  and  convincing.  So  that,  though 
absent,  you  are  with  me  ;  and  if  I  find  any  thing  in  which  I  do  not 
coincide,  though  I  cannot  argue  the  point  with  you,  I  note  it  down 
against  the  passage:  But,  in  truth,  that  very  rarely  occurs;  for  1 
find  our  theology  so  congenial,  that  there  is  not  above  one  or  two 
points  in  which  there  is  any  difference." 


RIGffT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  359 

nor  progress.  He  speaks  of  it  as  "  an  obscure 
Church,  the  labours  of  whose  pastors  have  much 
escaped  notice  in  England,  and  been  entirely  con- 
fined to  the  cultivation  of  the  native  mind  ;"  and  he 
represents  that  particular  portion  of  it  which  was 
committed  to  Bishop  Hobart's  care,  as  "  a  little 
flock  on  the  edge  of  the  wilderness."  But  though, 
numerically,  it  is  indeed  small,  and  the  labours  of 
its  pastors  in  the  undivided  and  daily  duties  of 
their  calling,  allow  but  little  opportunity  for  acquir- 
ing literary  fame,  yet  both  have  attracted  a  degree 
of  observation  in  quarters  which  may  console  us 
for  his  profound  ignorance  and  unworthy  contempt. 
It  is  hoped  that  the  introduction  of  a  note  from  one 
who  is  raised  as  far  above  the  reviewer  in  liberality 
as  in  station,  may  not  be  deemed  a  breach  of  the 
respect  which  is  due  to  him,  since  it  is  calculated 
to  do  him  that  honour  in  our  country  which  is,  on 
all  accounts,  so  universally  yielded  to  him  in  his 
own.  It  was  written  by  the  late  Bishop  of  London, 
Dr.  Howley,  who  is  now  the  Primate  of  England. 

"  The  Bishop  of  London  presents  his  respectful 
compliments  to  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Hobart,  and 
requests  his  acceptance  of  a  few  copies  of  a  charge 
delivered  last  summer  to  the  clergy  of  the  diocese 
of  London.  The  Bishop  takes  the  further  liberty  of 
requesting  that,  should  an  opportunity  offer,  Bishop 
Hobart  will  have  the  goodness  to  present  a  copy  to 
each  of  his  brother  prelates,  and  to  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Dalcho,  as  a  testimony  of  the  Bishop  of  London's 
high  respect  for  the  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  and  for  the  distinguished  indi- 
viduals through  whose  exertions  it  is  rapidly  ac- 


360  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

quiring  that  pre-eminence  in  the  public  estimation 
which  is  due  to  the  superior  purity  of  its  doctrine, 
and  to  its  apostolic  form  of  government. 
"London,  Jan.  20,  1823." 

When  the  health  of  Bishop  Hobart  had  been  im- 
paired by  excessive  labours  both  of  body  and  mind, 
and  a  temporary  relaxation  from  his  duties  having 
been  found  unavailing,  it  was  thought  indispensable 
to  his  restoration  that  lie  should  travel  abroad, 
there  was  such  a  general  manifestation  of  sympathy 
and  concern  as  was  never  perhaps  exhibited  among 
us  on  any  similar  occasion.  An  address  from  the 
clergy  was  put  into  his  hands  on  the  eve  of  his 
embarkation,  expressing,  with  no  less  sincerity 
than  warmth,  their  affection  for  his  person,  their 
respect  for  his  character,  their  prayers  for  his  safety 
during  his  journey,  for  tiie  restoration  of  his  health, 
and  for  his  return  to  the  useful,  zealous,  and  faithful 
labours  by  which  his  diocese  had  been  so  signally 
blessed ;  offering  up  likewise  prayers  for  them- 
selves, that  they  might  have  grace  to  preserve  the 
Church  in  his  absence  from  declining  from  that 
degree  of  unity,  prosperity,  and  purity,  to  which  it 
had  been  raised  under  his  administration.  A  throng 
of  parishioners  and  friends  pressed  around  him  at 
the  moment  of  his  departure,  with  anxious  and  sor- 
rowing hearts,  to  bid  him  farewell ;  and  some  felt 
but  little  less  than  the  Ephesian  converts  in  parting 
with  St.  Paul,  from  the  painful  apprehension  that 
they  miglit  see  his  face  no  more.  The  most  of  his 
clergy  who  were  resident  in  the  city  accompanied 
him  many  miles,  and  then  watched  with  fond  and 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOIJART.  361 

lingering  regret  the  last  glimpse  of  the  sails  which 
bore  him  hence.  During  the  first  few  months  ihey 
waited  for  news  from  him  with  eager  impatience ; 
and  through  the  whole  course  of  his  journey  and 
protracted  absence,  according  to  the  varying  ac- 
counts of  his  health,  they  were  by  turns  both  cheered 
and  depressed.  But  when  he  came  back  renovated 
in  constitution,  buoyant  in  spirits,  and  overflowing 
with  kindness  towards  all  whom  he  met,  he  was 
hailed  with  universal  joy.  A  more  deep  and  heart- 
felt welcome  was  never  given  to  any  one  on  his 
return  to  his  native  land. 

The  annual  convention  of  the  diocese  was  held 
shortly  after  his  return.  The  feelings  of  the  clergy 
and  laity  from  all  parts  of  the  state  were  in  unison 
with  those  which  prevailed  in  the  city,  and  there 
was  therefore  a  general  desire  to  make  a  public 
demonstration  of  them  on  th.is  interesting  occasion. 
But  though  there  were  none  who  did  not  wish  to 
unite  in  this  testimony  of  gratitude  for  the  happy 
return  of  the  Bishop,  yet  there  were  a  few  who,  not 
agreeing  with  him  in  some  of  his  opinions,  and  in 
the  main  points  of  his  policy,  were  anxious  that  the 
resolutions  should  be  so  framed  as  merely  to  express 
their  sentiments  of  personal  attachment  and  respect, 
and  their  high  sense  of  his  usefidness,  piety,  and 
worth.  With  a  view,  therefore,  to  render  it  an 
unanimous  act,  some  of  his  friends,  who  agreed  with 
him  in  all  points,  unha[)pily  yielded  to  this  consider- 
ation, and  in  a  spirit  of  accommodation,  as  unusual 
as  it  was  unwise,  drew  them  up  in  such  a  vague  and 
general  form  as  deprived  them  of  all  the  force, 
character,  and  value  which  could  make  them  wor- 

46 


"% 


862  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

thy  of  his  acceptance.     The  Bishop  had  met  his 
clergy  and  people  witii  a  generous  warmth,  which 
was  most  cordially  reciprocated.     He  knew  that, 
with  very  few  exceptions,  they  were  of  one  heart 
and  one  souL    He  knew  on  what  accounts  he  was 
particularly  distinguished  and  esteemed.     Any  good 
and  amiable  prelate,  however  weak,  irresolute,  and 
wavering,  might  have  received  this  praise,  and  there- 
fore, on  the  day  after  the  resolutions  were  adopted, 
he  rose  in  his  place,  and  in  the  bitterness  of  a  jeal- 
ous and  wounded  affection  rejected  it  with  scorn. 
Never  did  I  hear  any  person,  in  voice,  manner,  or 
expression,  so  eloquent.     It  was  all  nature,  feeling, 
and  passion,  wrought  up  to  the  highest  pitch.     He 
represented  this  proceeding  as  a  crafty  device  of  his 
opposers,  and  an  act  of  weak  compliance  on  the 
part  of  his  friends.     Under  the  appearance  of  con- 
gratulation and  praise,  it  left  out  all  those  notices 
of  the  characteristic  and   prominent  points  in  his 
principles  and  policy  which  it  had  been  the  labour 
of  his  life  to  extend,  through  good  and  evil  report, 
and    in  which  he  placed  his  glory  and   pride.     It 
neither  exhibited  him  as  he  was  known  at  home, 
nor  as  he  was  valued  abroad.    It  was  not  agreeable 
to  the  just  and  affectionate  tribute  which  had  been 
presented  to  him  on  his  departure,  nor  was  it  the 
kind   of  commendation  which    he  coveted  on  his 
return.     It   was  a  diluted   and   weakened    praise^ 
which  was  in  no  way  applicable  to  one  who  had 
always   stemmed    the  current  of  popular  opinion, 
and    he  therefore    requested    that   the   resolutions 
should  be  expunged  from  the  minutes. 

This  is  the  mere  faint  and  imperfect  recollection 


B 


UKJHT  REV.  JOHN  HENIiY  irOBAUT.  363 

of  a  speech  which  was  so  bold  and  powerful,  as  to 
bow  llie  hearts  of  the  whole  assembly  as  of  one 
man.  The  justness  and  force  of  it  were  in  the  main 
universally  felt.  The  particular  friends  of  the 
Bishop  were  grieved  at  the  pain  which  they  had 
given  him,  and  mortified  by  the  error  into  which 
they  had  fallen.  The  resolutions  were  modified  in 
such  a  way  as  to  give  them  an  appropriate  character; 
and  this  fearless  vindication  of  his  fame,  so  far  from 
being  regarded  as  a  display  of  arrogance  and  pride, 
was  only  considered  as  a  proof  of  that  elevation  of 
mind  which  glories  in  an  honourable  course,  rather 
than  in  undisiinguishiiig  and  popular  applause. 

From  the  Rev.  Alexander  Goode  to  Bishop  Ho- 
bart. 

^'  London^  Jan.  6,  1826. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  Amidst  the  universal  joy  which  awaited  your 
arrival  at  New- York,  I  trust  the  humble  congratu- 
lations of  the  companion  of  your  sojourn  in  the 
^avoy  cottage  may  not  be  unacceptable.  Permit 
me  then  most  truly  to  sympathise  in  those  feelings 
which  I  know  must  have  glowed  in  your  bosom  at 
the  affectionate  expressions  of  delight  on  the  part 
of  your  countrymen  at  your  safe  return  to  them. 
Such  must  indeed  be  the  highest  reward  that  can 
await  the  faithful  steward  in  this  life.  May  it  be 
but  the  prelude  to  that  joy  unfading  which  awaita 
the  righteous  in  a  beUer  world  !  While  reading  the 
account  of  your  reception  and  of  your  address  to 
the  convention,  I  could  well  imagine  what  were 
your  feelings  at  the  moment.     Th<3  chill  climate  of 


364  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

St.  Bernard,  the  pelting  storm  of  the  Bonhommie, 
and  the  inhospitable  reception  of  the  Savoy  cottage, 
might  well  be  forgotten  in  the  rapturous  enthusiasm 
of  your  countrymen.  May  it  please  the  Almighty 
long  to  continue  to  them  the  life  of  their  good 
Bishop,  and  to  bless  him  with  health  and  strength 
to  fulfill  the  duties  of  his  office !  Your  kind  letter 
to  Mr.  Norris  I  presented  two  days  since.  He 
received  me  in  a  most  friendly  manner,  desired  to 
see  me  as  soon  as  my  present  duties  with  Lord 
St.  Vincent  would  allow  me  leisure,  and  assured 
me  that  it  would  give  him  pleasure  to  be  able  to 
serve  me.  *  *  *. 

"  Accept,  my  dear  Sir,  the  grateful  assurances  of 
regard  from 

"  Yours  faithfully  and  affectionately, 

"  ALEXANDER  GOODE. 

"  Lord    St.  Vincent  begs   his  kindest   remem- 
brance." 

From  Bishop  Ravenscroft  to  Bishop  Hobart. 


"  Raleigh,  3Iarch  18,  1826. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  It  was  my  anxiety  not  to  appear  indifferent  to 
the  happy  event  of  your  restoration  to  health,  to 
your  family,  and  to  the  Church,  through  the  mis- 
carriage of  a  letter  (which  is  a  very  common  thing) 
that  prompted  me  to  write  the  second  time.  I 
well  knew  that  you  could  have  time  for  nothing  but 
to  meet  and  answer  the  congratulations  of  your 
numerous  friends. 

"  I  thank  you  very  gratefully  for  the  favourable 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  365 

opinion  you  are  pleased  to  entertain  and  express 
of  my  principles  and  conduct.  It  is  refreshing  to 
the  spirits  in  an  arduous  contest,  to  find  that  one  is 
not  alone  ;  and  it  is  strengthening  to  the  resolution, 
to  meet  the  approval  of  the  wise  and  good  on  those 
points  of  duty  to  which  the  many  are  opposed,  and 
those  who  are  not  so  are  doubtful,  timid,  or  in- 
different. 

"  The  situation  of  this  southern  country,  surren- 
dered for  the  last  forty  or  fifty  years  to  the  exclusive 
influence  of  the  Dissenters,  left  me  no  alternative, 
but  to  increase  that  influence  by  adoptiug  half-way 
measures,  or,  by  a  decided  course,  to  call  into  action 
what  was  left  of  predilection  for  the  Church,  to 
rally  her  real  friends  around  her  standard,  and  to 
strike  fear  into  her  enemies  by  the  unqualified 
assertion  of  her  distinctive  character;  and  I  have 
cause  of  thankfulness  beyond  expression,  that  it 
has  pleased  God  to  give  success  so  far  to  the  little 
I  have  been  enabled  to  do.  The  predictions  of  the 
lukewarm  and  the  timid,  that  I  was  premature — that 
the  minds  of  the  people  were  not  prepared  for  it — 
that  even  those  who  were  called  Episcopalians 
would  revolt  at  the  consequences  drawn  from  the 
principles  I  inculcated — have  all  been  falsified  ;  and 
the  cause  of  the  Church  has  been  strengthened 
from  day  to  day,  as  consideration  of  her  truly  divine 
character  and  purpose  in  the  plan  of  salvation  has 
been  forced  upon  public  attention.  Multitudes  have 
owned  to  me,  that  but  for  tlie  imperious  call  upon 
their  most  serious  consideration,  occasioned  by 
the  announcement  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Church, 
they  might  have  gone  dreaming  through  life,  without 


366  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

once  realizing  their  practical  use  to  the  assurance 
of  faith.  To  this  course  I  was  prompted  also  by 
having  no  periodical  publication  through  which  to 
awaken  attention  to  the  subject  and  direct  the 
judgment.  I  was  therefore  obliged  to  construct  my 
more  official  discourses  in  such  wise  as  to  call 
forth  discussion  ;  but  I  did  not  anticipate  that  the 
wily  Presbyterians  would  have  swallowed  the  bait 
so  readily.  *  *  *.  Their  opposition  has  done  more 
for  the  cause  in  a  year,  than  without  it  could  have 
been  done  in  ten.  It  is  now,  however,  too  late  for 
them  to  retrieve  their  error,  attention  is  awakened, 
feeling  is  roused,  and  investigation  will  for  ever  be 
in  our  favour. 

"  Our  progress  nevertheless  is  comparatively  slow 
in  organizing  new  congregations.  *  *  *.  We  want 
missionaries,  and  have  funds  to  employ  two,  but 
cannot  obtain  them  ;  yet  my  hope  is  strong — it  is 
not  my  cause  but  the  Lord's,  and  his  providence  is 
so  distinct  in  his  overruling  direction  of  events  for 
the  furtherance  of  that  cause,  that  both  my  clergy 
and  myself  are  greatly  encouraged.  That  we 
should  be  of  one  mind  and  of  one  heart,  is  an 
unspeakable  blessing ;  and  that  with  this  they  should 
be  zealous,  evangelical  in  the  just  sense  of  that 
word,  and  the  majority,  men  of  more  than  respect- 
able literary  attainments,  and  other  qualifications 
for  the  pulpit,  renders  my  station  pleasant  amid  the 
severe  labour  I  have  to  encounter.  *  *  *. 

"  I  feel  much  indebted  to  Mr.  C and  to  Mr. 

O for  the  help  and  countenance  they  have  given 

me.  I  need  it  all.  The  habits  and  occupations  of 
my  best  years  were  not  favourable  to  the  retaining, 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  367 

far  less  to  the  improvement  of  a  good  education. 
Every  hour  I  have  cause  to  regret  that  improvidence 
which  abandoned  the  continuation  of  mental  im- 
provement, and  in  a  good  degree  threw  away  the 
fruits  of  care,  and  pains,  and  expense  in  my  early 
education.  But  I  foresaw  not  the  use  the  Lord 
had  for  me.  Wonderful  it  is  that  he  should  have 
sought  me  out,  and  what  is  left  of  me  I  wish  to  be 
all  his.  Remember  me  in  your  prayers — help  me 
with  your  counsel — reprove  me  where  I  am  in  error 
or  wrong — and  believe  me, 

"  Very  truly  and  affectionately, 

"  Your  friend  and  brother  in  the  Lord, 

"  JOHN  S.  RAVENSCROFT." 

In  the  General  Convention  of  1826  a  proposition 
was  made  by  the  House  of  Bishops  for  sundry  alter- 
ations in  the  Liturgy.  The  measure  was  adopted 
by  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  but, 
according  to  the  constitution,  it  was  to  be  commu- 
nicated in  the  recess  of  the  sittings  of  that  body  to 
the  conventions  of  all  the  dioceses,  and  then  to  be 
acted  upon  at  the  following  meeting  of  the  General 
Convention.  It  was  understood  to  have  been  brought 
forward  by  Bishop  Hobart,  and  it  is  therefore  neces- 
sary to  explain  by  what  motives  he  was  influenced 
in  the  suggestion  of  a  plan  which  was  much  more 
likely  to  open  a  boundless  field  for  discussion  than 
to  lead  to  any  satisfactory  results.  It  was  entirely 
contrary  to  all  his  predilections  and  habits.  His 
love  of  the  Liturgy  was  a  passion.  His  admiration 
of  it  in  every  part  was  so  great,  that  it  had  even  been 
the  occasion  of  charging  him  with  a  want  of  due 


368  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

veneration  for  the  word  of  God.  He  had  at  all  times 
enforced  the  observance  of  it  among  his  clergy  with 
the  utmost  earnestness,  solicitude,  and  zeal.  I  do 
not  remember  an  instance  under  any  circumstances 
in  our  parish,  of  his  omitting  even  those  parts  which 
are  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  minister,  nor  do  I 
believe  that  if  the  alterations  which  he  proposed, 
and  which  were  also  to  have  been  discretionary  had 
been  adopted,  that  he  would  have  changed  his  own 
practice. 

But  in  certain  sections  of  the  Church  it  had  been 
alleged  that  the  service  was  too  long,  and  in  ac- 
commodation to  this  opinion,  many  of  the  clergy,  in 
disregard  of  their  solemn  obligations  and  vows,  had 
substituted  their  private  will  for  the  public  law. 
This  appeared  to  Bishop  Hobart  to  be  such  a  sub- 
version of  principle  as  would  eventually  bring  all 
authority  and  all  order  into  utter  contempt.  If, 
therefore,  the  pretext  of  the  undue  length  of  the 
service  could  be  removed,  and  whatever  was  doubtful 
in  the  construction  of  a  certain  rubrick,*  by  which 
a  very  common  irregularity  was  justified,  were  made 
clear  and  indisputable,  then  every  violation  of  the 
order  of  the  Church  would  be  without  excuse  ;  and 
he  not  only  believed  that  it  would  be  without 
excuse,  but  he  was  even  disposed  to  indulge  the 
hope,  that  it  would  in  a  great  measure  be  without 
temptation. 

The  modifications  proposed  were  such  as  would 
make  no  striking  alteration  in  the  daily  service  of 
the  Church.     In  its  general  form  it  was  to  remain 

*  The  rubrick  relative  to  the  Ante-Communion  Service. 


inCHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  369 

the  same  as  it  liad  ever  been.  The  cliange  was  to 
be  entirely  confined  totlie  Lessons  and  the  Psalms. 
These  were  either  to  be  reduced  in  length  to  a 
certain  extent,  or  retained  in  the  way  originally 
prescribed,  at  the  discretion  of  the  minister.  Tire 
Preface  also  in  the  Confirmation  Service  was  to  be 
slightly  altered,  and  the  Rubrick  in  relation  to  the 
Ante-Communion  Service  to  be  made  so  explicit 
as  to  render  the  observance  of  it  a  matter  of  the 
clearest  and  strictest  oblisfation. 

No  change  could  have  been  made  with  less  vio- 
lence to  the  devout  feelings  and  endearing  associa- 
tions of  our  people.  It  would  have  been  so  slight 
in  appearance  as  scarcely  to  be  noticed,  and  yet  the 
abridgment  of  the  Lessons  and  the  Psalms  would 
have  been  so  material  as  to  bring  the  service  within 
reasonable  bounds,  to  secure  greater  uniformity  in 
its  observance,  or  to  expose  its  violators  to  the 
severest  censure  and  reproach. 

The  measure  was  brought  forward  by  Bishop 
Hobart,  with  the  view  of  promoting  universal  har- 
mony and  order,  and  in  a  spirit  of  the  utmost  con- 
ciliation and  kindness;  which  was  met  with  great 
cordiality  by  some  who  differed  widely  from  him  in 
his  general  views.  It  was,  however,  with  singular 
frowardness  and  perversity  strongly  opposed  by 
many  of  those  who  were  in  the  constant  habit  of 
mutilating  the  Liturgy,  as  well  as  by  others  who 
sacredly  observed  it,  and  who  dreaded  the  effects  of 
innovation  and  change.  From  this  double  opposi- 
tion, therefore,  it  was  finally  rejected. 

The  following  letter  to  Bishop  Hobart  from 
Bishop  Ravcnscroft,   is  exceedingly  characteristJc 

47 


370  MEMOIR  OP  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

both  of  the  style  and  temper  of  the  writer.  There 
was  something  remarkable  and  striking  in  the  history 
of  his  life,  in  the  character  of  his  mind,  and  in  the 
boldness  and  loftiness  of  his  spirit,  which  notliing 
could  daunt.  He  was  nearly  of  middle  age  when  he 
entered  upon  the  ministry.  The  early  part  of  his 
life  had  been  spent  in  guilty  pleasures,  his  later  years 
in  mere  worldly  pursuits,  and  the  vvliole  in  such  a 
forgetfulnes*  of  God,  that  when  he  was  awakened 
to  a  sense  of  his  condition,  he  regarded  himself  as 
the  chief  of  sinners.  There  was,  therefore,  such  a 
profound  abasement  at  the  recollection  of  his 
offences,  such  a  broken  and  contrite  heart,  such  a 
deep  sense  of  the  divine  mercy  and  grace  in  reclaim- 
ing him  so  late  from  the  error  of  his  ways,  that  his 
Boul  broke  out  with  the  most  fervent  love  to  God,  and 
the  short  remnant  of  his  days  was  entirely  employed 
in  redeeming  the  time  which  he  had  hitherto  mis- 
pent.  A  monument  of  mercy  himself,  he  preached 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  with  the  utmost 
ardour,  fidelity,  and  zeal,  holding  him  up  continually 
in  all  his  gracious  offices,  and  through  the  divine 
blessing  winning  many  souls  to  him,  which  are 
now  the  crowns  of  his  rejoicing.  But  though  his 
sanguine  temperament  was  enkindled  with  all  the 
glow  of  pious  feeling,  he  was  not  hurried  on  into 
the  extravagances  of  enthusiasm.  He  loved  and  he 
preached  the  Gospel  of  Christ  as  the  power  of  God 
unto  salvation  to  every  one  that  believeth,  but  he 
also  loved  the  Church  which  the  Son  of  God  had 
purchased  with  his  blood.  He  looked  upon  these 
tilings  as  essentially  and  vitally  connected  with  each 
other,  and  thought  that  no  man  had  a  right  to  put 


RIGHT  BEV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAUT.  371 

asunder  what  God  hath  joined  together.  He  there- 
fore regarded  wrong  views  of  the  ministry,  authority, 
and  order  of  the  Church,  as  material  errors.  He 
looked  upon  separation  from  this  ministry  as  the  sin 
of  schism — upon  a  disregard  to  this  authority  as  dis- 
obedience to  Him  from  whom  it  was  derived — upon 
a  violation  of  this  order  as  a  presumptuous  exalta- 
tion of  private  opinion  over  public  law,  a  breach  of 
sincerity  and  truth,  and  a  contempt  of  the  most  so- 
lemn obligations  both  to  God  and  man.  On  all 
points  connected  with  his  views  of  duty,  he  pro- 
claimed his  opinions  fearlessly.  He  acted  upon 
them  firmly  and  consistently.  He  would  never 
listen  for  a  moment  to  the  suggestions  of  policy. 
He  would  compromit  nothing.  He  would  yield  no- 
thing. He  despised  a  timid  prudence.  He  shrunk 
from  no  responsibility.  He  met  error  directly,  and 
was  sure  that  truth  would  always  triumph,  if  man- 
fully defended.  In  the  contemplation  of  the  moral 
sublimity  of  his  character,  we  feel  a  respect  for  it 
approaching  almost  to  veneration. 

And  yet  this  man,  so  stern  and  inflexible  in  his 
defence  of  the  truth,  and  so  lofty  in  the  eyes  of  his 
fellow-men,  was  like  a  child  in  his  lowliness  in  the 
sight  of  God. 

His  talents  were  suited  to  his  character.  His 
bold  thoughts  were  expressed  in  a  strong  and  mas- 
culine style,  and  his  controversies  were  conducted 
with  great  ability  and  spirit.  With  less  theological 
learning  than  many  others,  and  in  a  great  measure 
by  the  acuteness  and  vigour  of  his  natural  powers, 
he  established  his  own  positions  well,  triumphantly 
exposed  the  weakness  and  fallacies  of  his  anta- 


372  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

gonist,  and  wit,  sarcasm,  and  reasoning,  all  blended 
together,  made  him  one  of  the  most  formidable 
assailants  of  Presbytery  which  our  country  has 
produced. 

But  while,  as  one  of  the  most  sincere  and  devout 
men  that  ever  lived,  (even  those  who  differed  from 
him  being  the  judges,)  and  one  of  the  most  zealous 
and  able  defenders  of  evangelical  truth  and  apos- 
tolic order,  he  is  worthy  of  the  utmost  admiration  ; 
yfit  it  must  be  acknowledged  by  his  warmest  friends, 
that  his  great  qualities  were  alloyed  by  some  of 
those  infirmities  which  seem  to  be  inseparable  from 
o-ur  nature.  He  was  undoubtedly  too  harsh  and 
violent  in  the  condemnation  of  those  who  differed 
from  him  in  opinion,  and  too  unqualified  in  the  judg- 
ment of  their  motives;  and  in  his  noble  zeal  for  the 
cause  of  truth,  he  sometimes  lost  sight  of  Christian 
charity.  These  exceptions,  it  appears  to  me,  are 
the  only  ones  which  need  to  be  made  in  regard  to 
the  following  letter  of  Bishop  Ravenscroft,  or  of 
any  other  which  may  be  afterwards  introduced. 

''Raleigh,  May  30,  1827.. 

"  RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  Your  favour  of  the  25th  reached  me  to-day, 
accompanied  by  two  copies  of  the  address  on  the 
present  bug-bear  of  high  and  low  Church — the 
watch-word  of  a  party,  too  unprincipled,  I  fear,  to 
be  wrought  upon  by  fact  or  argument.  I  trust  I  do 
not  exceed,  in  thus  expressing  myself;  but,  what 
with  their  cant,  and  what  with  their  artful  adapta- 
tion of  their  outcry  to  popular  delusion,  I  can  see 
nothing  of  sincere  though  misdirected  opinion,  but 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  373 

much  of  reasoned  and  calculated  contrivance  to 
overthrow  that  polity  which  the  most  solemn  obli- 
gations require  them  to  defend.  Though  provi- 
dentially defeated  for  the  present,  and  for  which 
the  Church  cannot  be  sufficiently  thankful,  I  agree 
with  you  in  opinion,  that  this  defeat  is  not  decisive 
as  to  the  fate  of  the  party.  It  still  exists,  and  will 
continue  to  mature  its  plans  with  more  caution  (md 
deeper  counsels,  waiting  for  the  next  vacancy  in 
the  episcopate  to  try  their  strength,  and  either  gain 
their  object  in  a  bishop  after  their  own  heart,  or 
obtain  occasion  against  the  bishops,  from  their 
refusal  to  admit  an  improper  person  into  their  body. 
This,  I  doubt  not,  is  a  part  of  their  plan — a  kind 
of  reserve  to  appeal  to  public  feeling  upon,  as  a 
persecuted  body  of  pious  men,  denied  the  rights  of 
conscience.  I  trust,  however,  that  there  will  be 
firmness  enough  in  a  majority  of  the  bishops  to 
commit  the  cause  to  God,  by  cleaving  to  principle 
at  every  hazard — refusing  every  attempt  at  com- 
promise. In  the  meantime  much  may  be  done  to 
give  more  correct  views  to  the  great  body  of  our 
laity,  and  to  expose  their  artful  and  dangerous  pro- 
ceedings. 

"  On  the  subject  of  the  Liturgy  I  have  but  one  fear, 
and  that  is,  that  the  bishops  are  not  prepared  to 
apply  the  only  remedy,  which  is,  no  longer  to  wink 
at  infractions  of  the  Kubricks,  but  to  stand  prepared 
to  enforce  the  discipline  of  the  Church  against  all 
offenders.  Let  this  be  done  in  one  or  two  plain 
cases,  and  I  doubt  not  the  result ;  whereas,  by  con- 
tinuing to  act  upon  the  present  principle  of  forbear- 
ance, those  who  act  irregularly  are  encouraged  to 


374  MEMOIR  OF  THE  I-lPE  OP  THE 

persevere,  from  the  calculation  that  it  is  fear  which 
operates  with  the  bishops — that  they  arc  too  strong 
a  party  for  the  law  to  meddle  with  ;  and  thus  a  double 
evil  is  produced  ;  the  government  is  weakened,  and 
its  opponents  increased,  both  numerically  and  in 
confidence.  I  trust  you  will  pardon  the  freedom 
with  which  T  venture  to  show  mine  opinion :  but,  as 
I  am  sure  that  we  (the  bishops)  possess,  individually 
and  collectively,  the  means  to  put  a  stop  to  this 
increasing  and  ruinous  evil,  I  had  rather  it  should 
thus  be  met,  and  promptly  too,  than  by  further  tem- 
porising, feed  the  flame  of  discontent  and  disunion, 
until  we  have  to  mourn  over  a  catastrophe  which 
firmness  and  decision  would  have  averted.* 

"  While  happily  free  myself  from  the  remotest 
cause  of  uneasiness  as  to  this  point,  I  yet  feel  for 
those  who  are  otherwise  situated,  and  would  gladly 
aid  in  any  way  to  bring  about  a  more  favourable 

*  The  firmness  of  Bishop  Ravenscroft  was  once,  as  he  himself 
informed  me,  put  to  a  severe  test,  which,  however,  was  found  suffi- 
cient for  the  occasion.  One  of  the  dioceses  had  elected  a  presbyter 
as  an  assistant  bishop,  on  the  express  condition  that  he  should  not, 
as  a  matter  of  course,  on  the  demise  of  the  bishop,  succeed  to  hig 
jurisdiction.  Bishop  Ravenscroft  looked  upon  this  as  utterly  wrong ; 
and  though  a  canon  was  passed  at  the  time  to  prevent  its  recurrence, 
he  would  by  no  means  give  his  consent  to  the  act.  Besides,  in 
reference  to  the  presbyter  elected,  though  he  was  his  dear  and 
personal  friend,  and  though  with  a  single  exception,  he  had  never 
known  one  whose  walk  was  nearer  to  God,  yet  it  was  his  opinion, 
that  he  had  not  that  regard  to  the  distinctive  principles  and  usages 
of  the  Church  which  fitted  him  to  be  oneof  her  principal  overseers. 
On  both  these  accounts,  therefore,  Bishop  Ravenscroft  disapproved 
of  his  appointment  to  the  office,  and  accordingly  he  neither  could 
be  prevailed  upon  to  sign  his  testimonials  nor  to  assist  in  his  con- 
secration. 


RIGHT  KtV.  JOHiN   UENUY  IIOBAKT.  375 

State  of  things.  With  the  help  of  God  I  shall  watch 
to  keep  my  diocese  free  from  this  infection.  Nor 
will  I  ordain  any  man  whom  I  have  sufficient  ground 
to  suspect  of  laxity  or  disaffection  to  the  distinctive 
principles  of  the  Church.     Let  all  walk  by  this  rule, 

and  Dr. 's  increasing  evangelicals  will  disappear 

like  the  morning  dew. 

"  Your  affectionate  friend  and  brother, 

"  JOHN  S.  RAVENSCROFT." 

In  the  summer  of  1827  Bishop  Hobart  set  out 
upon  his  tour  of  Episcopal  duty,  with  the  intention 
of  extending  it  to  Green-Bay,  in  order  to  visit  the 
Oneida  Indians,  whom  he  still  considered  as  under 
his  pastoral  charge;  but  finding  it  impossible  to 
accomplish  the  journey  consistently  with  other 
necessary  duties  in  his  diocese,  he  did  not  reach 
this  remote  point,  and  postponed  it  till  the  following 
summer.  He  proceeded,  however,  as  far  as  Detroit, 
where  he  gratified  the  people  of  our  communion 
exceedingly,  by  the  novel  visit  of  a  Protestant  Bi- 
shop, performed  the  interesting  ceremony  of  laying 
the  corner-stone  of  the  first  Episcopal  Church,  and 
administered  the  rite  of  confirmation. 

No  man  was  ever  more  careful  than  Bishop 
Hobart  to  regulate  his  public  conduct  by  general 
principles,  nor  more  ready  in  applying  these  princi- 
ples to  particular  cases.  And  when  his  mind  was 
clearly  made  up  as  to  the  correctness  of  the  rule, 
he  never  suffered  himself  to  be  moved  by  temporary 
expedients,  by  personal  feeling,  by  popular  excite- 
ment, by  the  desire  of  praise,  or  fear  of  clamour  and 
reproach,  but  went  on  steadily  and  firmly  in  his 


376  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

course.  To  men  of  narrow  and  wavering  minds, 
who  could  neither  comprehend  a  subject  in  all  its 
bearings,  nor  act  with  resolution  even  upon  their 
own  convictions,  his  conclusions  at  times  seemed 
rash  and  j)reciptate,  his  conduct  harsh  and  ungra- 
cious, and  his  perseverance  and  consistency  mere 
obstinacy  and  pride.  But  he  generally  secured  at 
once  the  approbation  of  the  bold  and  sagacious; 
and  notwithstanding  temporary  opposition,  very 
often  succeeded  in  finally  carrying  with  him  the 
public  mind. 

The  following  letters  are  striking  illustrations  of 
the  peculiarity  in  his  character  which  we  have  just 
described. 

"Answer  of  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Hobart  to  an 
invitation  to  a  public  dinner  given  in  this  city  on 
the  8th  of  January,  1828,  in  honour  of  the  victory  of 
New-Orleans." 

"  New-  York,  Jan.  2,  1828. 

"  GENTLEMEN, 

"  Professing  a  most  warm  and  decided  attach- 
ment to  the  republican  institutions  of  my  country, 
I  have  yet  always  deemed  it  expedient,  considering 
my  particular  office  and  station,  never  publicly  to 
connect  myself  with  any  of  the  political  parties  that 
have  divided  the  nation.  I  hope  you  will  think  that 
this  rule  is,  for  me,  a  safe  and  proper  one ;  and  in 
conformity  to  it,  I  must  beg  your  permission  to  de- 
cline the  distinction  which  you  so  politely  offer  me, 
of  being  present  at  the  public  dinner  on  the  8th 
instant. 

"  I  trust  you  will  believe  my  assurance,  that  in 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOCART.  377 

thus  declining  the  honour  which  you  intend  me,  I 
am  not  influenced  by  any  want  of  sensibility  to  the 
importance  of  the  event  which  you  design  to  cele- 
brate; and,  least  of  all,  of  respect  for  you,  or  for 
the  numerous  class  of  citizens  whom  you  represent. 
"  1  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  &c. 

"  J.  H.  HOBART. 

«  To  Wm,  M.  Price,  Esq.  Sfc.  S^c" 

"  Letter  from  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Hobart  to 
the  Mayor  of  New- York,  in  reply  to  a  request  of 
the  Corporation  of  the  City,  that  the  Clergy  would 
notice  in  their  pulpits  the  recent  decease  of  his 
Excellency  the  Governor  of  the  State." 

"  SIR, 

"  I  have  this  day  received  from  the  Clerk  of  the 
Corporation  of  the  City  a  copy  of  a  resolution  of  the 
Common  Council,  in  which  *  the  Reverend  the 
Clergy  of  the  City  are  respectfully  requested  to  no- 
tice, in  an  appropriate  and  solemn  manner,  in  their 
respective  churches  to-morrow,  the  deep  bereave- 
ment sustained  by  our  common  country,  by  the 
death  of  our  chief  magistrate  and  fellow-citizen, 
De  Witt  Clinton.' 

"  As  I  feel  myself  under  the  necessity  of  declining 
to  comply  with  this  request  in  Trinity  Church,  and 
at  St.  Paul's  and  St.  John's  Chapels,  of  which  I  have 
the  parochial  charge,  I  hope  you  will  permit  me,  in 
order  to  prevent  misconception,  to  state  the  reasons 
which  have  influenced  me  in  this  determination. 

"  The  prostitution  of  religion  to  the  purposes  of 
secular  policy  has  produced  the  greatest  mischiefs ; 

48 


378  MEMOIR  OF  Tllli  LlFli  OP  THE 

and  I  conccivo  that   the   studious  separation  of  the 
Church  from  tlie  State,  which  characterizes  our  re- 
publican constitution,  is  designed  to  prevent  religion 
and   its  ministers  from  being  made  subservient  to 
the  views  of  those  who,  from  time  to  time,  may  ad- 
minister public  affairs.     But  if  the  civil  or  munici- 
pal authority  may  desire  the  clergy  '  to  notice,  in  an 
approj)riate  and  solemn   manner,'  the  death  of  the 
chief  magistrate  of  a  state,  the  request  may  be  ex- 
tended to  every  distinguished  citizen  who  has  filled 
a  public  office;  and   thus  the  ministrations  of  the 
clergy  may  be   made  to  advance  the   influence  of 
political  men  and  political  measures — an  evil  from, 
which,  in  the  old  world,  the  most  unhappy  eflfects 
have  resulted,  and  against  which,  in  this  country,  we 
should  most  sedulously  guard. 

"  The  character  of  the    individual,  too,  whose 
memory  is  to  receive  these  high  religious  honours, 
may  not  render  him  worthy  of  this  sacred  distinction ; 
or,  in  seasons  of  great  political  excitement,  he  may 
be  as  obnoxious  to  one  portion  of  the  community  as 
he  is  the  idol  of  another;  and  thus  the  clergy,  who 
should  be  devoted  to  the  exercise  of  their  spiritual 
functions,  may  be  drawn  into  the  ranks  of  party> 
and  suffer  in  its  rude  conflicts.     In  almost  every 
case,  from  the  varying  opinions  of  the  relative  merits 
of  public  men,  the  ministers  of  religion,  in  the  capa- 
city of  eulogists,  may   as   much   fall  short  of  the 
ardent  expectations  of  some,  as  they  may  exceed 
the  more  sober  estimate  of  others.     There  is  no 
view  of  this  matter  which  does  not,  in  my  judgment, 
present  serious  objections  to  a  compliance  with  the 
request  of  the  Corporation. 


IIIGIIT  UEV.  JOHN  HENRY  II()!]Ai:'r.  379 

"  As  far  as  my  private  feelings  arc  concerned,  it 
would  be  most  grateful  to  me  to  bear  my  public 
testimony  to  the  eminent  talents,  the  civil  services, 
and  the  private  virtues,  of  the  lamented  chief  magis- 
trate of  the  state — and,  most  certainly,  great  defer- 
<^nce  is  due  to  a  request  of  the  functionaries  of  the 
city  in  which  i  am  a  minitster:  but  paramount 
considerations  of  duly  will  prevent  my  compliance 
with  a  request  which,  in  the  principle  ihtxt  it  involves, 
and  in  ihe  j^yccedent  which  it  will  establish,  appears 
to  me  of  dangerous  tendency,  in  regard  to  the  spirit 
of  our  free  constitutions,  an<:l  to  the  interests  of 
religion,  and  the  character  and  influence  of  its 
ministers. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be, 

"  With  great  respect, 

"  Your  most  obedient  servant, 

"J.  H.  HOBART. 

"  Saturday,  Feb.  16,  1828." 

From  Bishop  Ilobart  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ives.* 

"  Warsaw,  Sept.  15,  1828. 

"MY  DEAR  SIR, 

•"  I  received  your  letter  containing  the  melanciioly 
news  of  Dr.  Feltus'  death,  of  whicii,  however,  I  was 
previously  apprized,  by  a  letter  from  Dr.  Onderdonk. 
It  is  truly,  privately  and  publicly,  a  severe  dispensa- 
tion of  Providence.  He  was  exceedingly  useful  in 
his  congregation,  and  daily  Lieconiing  more  and 
more  attached  to  the  cause  of  sound  Church  prin- 

*  Now  Bishop  of  North-Carolina. 


380  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

ciples  ;  and  to  me  uniformly  and  warmly  kind.  God 
grant  that  his  congregation  may  be  saved  from  one 
of  different  views  and  policy.  Rumour  is  often  un- 
founded in  her  reports;  but  it  has  been  whispered 
that  your  name  has  been  mentioned;  of  course  I 
conclude  you  cannot  think  for  a  Dioment  of  leaving 
St.  Luke's,  even  should  it  be  in  your  power. 

"  I  have  not  heard  from  home,  except  through  you, 
since  I  left  Troy.  I  hope  to  find  a  letter  at  Geneva. 
Let  some  of  the  family  write  to  me  immediately, 
directing  to  Unadilla,  Otsego  county^  New-York, 
The  country  through  which  I  have  passed  has  been 
more  sickly  than  ever  was  known  ;  but,  thank  God, 
I  have  been  well. 

*'  Every  day  I  am  led  to  exclaim — '  The  harvest 
is  great,  but  the  labourers  are  few :'  with  such  a 
harvest  at  home,  such  a  want  of  labourers  hercy 
must  we  be  searching  for  a  harvest  abroad  \  To 
me  it  seems  not  only  absurd,  but  wrong.  *  *  *. 

"  Affectionately  yours, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

From  Bishop  Ravenscroft  to  Bishop  Hobart. 

"  Williamshorough,  N.  C,  Nov.  13,  1828. 

"RIGHT  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

''  I  have  been  balancing  for  weeks  whether  to 
write  to  you  or  to  wait  for  a  clearer  indication  of 
the  disturbance  to  the  Church,  which  I  anticipate 
from  the  measures  contemplated  in  the  diocese  of 
Virginia.  Perhaps  I  fear  without  cause  ;  perhaps 
I  am  doubtful  where  I  might  be  confident.  I  confess 
I  am  full  of  apprehension. 


RHJHT  rev.  JOHN  HENRY  HOB  ART.  381 

"  I  learn  from  a  source  entitled  to  credit,  that  the 
change  proposed  in  the  ecclesiastical  constitution 
of  that  diocese  will  be  carried,  though  not  without 
opposition;  and  if  so,  what  in  such  event  is  likely 
to  be  the  course  pursued  by  tlie  House  of  Bishops  I 
what  ought  to  be  their  course  under  existing  cir- 
cumstances ?  and  what  the  probability  that  the  real 
interests  of  the  Church  and  of  true  religion  will 
prevail  against  the  specious  but  fallacious  pretence 
of  maintaining  peace  by  yielding  to  innovation? 

"  These  are  subjects  which  haunt  me,  I  may 
almost  say,  and  which  even  the  anxiety  consequent 
on  the  daily  decline  of  my  poor  wife's  health  cannot 
shut  out.  Is  it  proper  that  some  interchange  of 
opinion  between  tlie  bishops  should  take  place  I 
*  *  *.  Is  it  proper  and  prudent  that  precautionary 
measures  should  be  set  on  foot,  while  the  danger 
may  be  considered  as  only  possible?  And  may  I 
request  your  view  of  the  whole  ]  *  *  *, 

"  I  greatly  regret  that  so  little  intercourse  takes 
place  between  the  bishops,  as  I  have  reason  per- 
sonally to  lament.  I  do  not  think  it  is  right,  offici- 
ally speaking,  and  certainly  the  late  and  present 
state  and  temper  of  the  American  Church  calls  fur 
concert,  union,  and  firmness  amongst  those  who,  as 
watchmen,  stand  answerable  not  only  for  present 
but  for  future  interests,  and  these  such  as  involve 
the  glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  men. 

"  I  need  not  say,  I  trust,  that  I  shall  rejoice  to 
hear  from  you,  to  receive  the  benefit  of  your  greater 
experience,  more  extended  range  of  observation, 
and  intimate  knowledge  of  character,  and  that  I 
shall  most   readily  communicate  that  information 


S82  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

which  a  knowledge  of  the  principles  and  views  of 

tlie  leaders  in  Virginia,  acquired  by  a  service  of 

six  years  as  their  fellow  presbyter,  has  given  me. 
*  «  « 

"  For  the  re-establishment  of  my  health,  now 
much  improved,  I  am  debarred  from  my  usual 
course  of  visitations  during  the  winter.  But  it 
would  still  have  been  thus,  in  the  providence  of 
Almighty  God,  by  the  serious,  I  fear  1  may  say, 
hopeless  state  of  Mrs.  Ravenscroft's  health,  over 
whose  daily  decaying  frame  I  have  to  watch  con- 
tinually. She  is,  however,  patient  and  cheerful, 
possessing  *  the  confidence  of  a  certain  faith,  and 
the  comfort  of  a  reasonable,  religious,  and  holy 
hope,'  for  which  I  heartily  thank  an  ever  gracious 
God,  and  pray  that  the  like  consolation  may  be 
yours  and  mine  in  that  trying  season. 

"  Your  affectionate  friend  and  brother, 

"  JOHN  S.  RAVENSCROFT." 

There  is  a  very  important  feature  in  the  public 
character  of  Bishop  Ilobart,  which,  perhaps,  in  the 
first  place,  contributed  more  than  any  thing  else  to 
his  elevation  to  the  Episcopal  oflice,  and  after  he 
had  attained  it,  to  the  increase  of  his  influence  and 
consideration,  that  I  find  myself  unable  to  represent, 
except  in  a  very  imperfect  and  general  manner. 
His  talents  for  public  business  were  of  the  highest 
order.  Fond  of  its  excitement,  patient  of  all  its 
details,  clear  and  sagacious  in  his  views,  prompt  in 
action,  full  of  resources,  there  was  nothing  which 
he  did  not  understand,  and  nothing  which  he  was 
not  at  all  times  prepared  to  engage  in  with  interest, 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  383 

and  to  act  upon  with  decision.  He  was,  therefore, 
one  of  the  few  who  form  the  life  and  soul  of  every 
public  assembly,  and  who  influence,  direct,  and  con- 
trol its  deliberations.  Without  being  forward  or 
assuming',  he  was  always  self-possessed,  confident 
in  his  own  powers,  prepared  for  any  emergency,  and 
roused  to  a  more  vigorous  exertion  of  his  intellect 
when  taken  by  surprise.  On  occasions  of  this  kind 
he  not  only  spoke  with  ease  and  fluency,  but  some- 
times rose  to  a  high  and  commanding  eloquence.* 
But  though  it  is  well  known  that  he  took  a  most 
active  part  as  a  presbyter  in  the  business  of  our 
State  Convention,  that  from  an  early  period  of  his 
ministry  he  made  himself  conspicuous  in  the  general 
councils  of  the  Church,  and  that  he  exercised  a 
great  degree  of  influence  at  a  later  period  in  the 
House  of  Bishops,  yet  it  is  difficult  to  point  out  tho 


*  The  late  Rufus  King,  who  was  an  admh-able  judge  of  the  wisdom 
and  eloquence  in  others,  of  which  he  himself  furnished  so  illustrious 
an  example,  entertained  the  most  favourable  opinion  of  Bishop 
Hobart  in  regard  to  both.  In  a  communication  which  I  have  re- 
ceived from  Charles  King,  Esq.  he  remarks,  that  he  has  "  heard  his 
father  more  than  once,  in  adverting  to  the  influence  which  the 
Bishop  exercised  in  various  deliberative  bodies  where  they  met, 
speak  with  high  admiration  of  his  powers  and  promptness  as  a 
debater.  He  often  used  to  say,  that  if  the  Bishop  had  been  a 
politician  instead  of  a  clergyman,  he  could  not  have  failed  of 
obtaining  and  preserving  a  great  ascendency  in  public  assemblies, 
by  those  qualities  of  his  mind  which  enabled  him  to  perceive  with 
intuition  the  weak  points  of  an  adversary's  argument,  and  urge  with 
convincing  earnestness  the  strong  points  of  his  own.  When  lo  this 
was  added  that  sincerity  of  purpose  which  was  so  obvious  in  all 
that  he  said,  it  may  readily  be  believed  that  it  was  difficult  to  w  Ii!i- 
stand  him." 


384  ftlEMOIR  OP  THE  LIFE  Of  THE 

important  questions  in  which  he  was  engaged,  or 
the  occasions  on  which  he  was  particularly  distin- 
guished ;    for  no  record  is  kept  of  the  debates  in 
our  conventions,  and  little  else  can  be  learned  from 
the  Journals  than  the  result  of  their  proceedings. 
The  persons  with  whom  he  acted  before  his  eleva- 
tion to  the  Episcopal  office,  are  for  the  most  part 
dead,  and  at  this  distance  of  time  accurate  informa- 
tion on  these  points  cannot  be  obtained  from  those 
who  are  living.     The  same  remarks  may  in  a  great 
measure  be  applied  to  the  more  private  discussions 
in  which  he  was  engaged  in  the  House  of  Bishops. 
In  the  autumn  of  1828  the  plan  of  a  clerical  as- 
sociation was  formed  by  a  few  of  the  clergy  in  the 
city  of  New- York  and  its  immediate  neighbourhood ; 
the  object  of  which  was  declared  to  be  "  the  promo- 
tion of  the  personal  piety  and  the  official  usefulness 
of  its  members  by  devotional  exercises,  and  by  con- 
versation on  missionary  and  such  other  religious 
subjects  as  might  conduce  to  mutual  edification." 
The  purity  of  intention  on  the  part  of  those  by  whom 
it  was  instituted,  and  the  fair  promise  of  usefulness 
which  it  held  out,  would  have  commended  it  to  the 
favour  of  common  observers  ;  but  the  Bishop,  with 
his  usual  penetration  and  sagacity,  observed  in  it 
those  seeds  of  evil  and  discord  which  would  inevit- 
ably spring  up  amidst  the  good  fruits,  and  endea- 
voured at  once  to  check  its  establishment  and  growth. 
Fond  of  the  good  old  ijaths^   and  witnessing   the 
happy  effects  of  a  strict  adherence  to  all  the  usages 
of  our  Church,  he  was  not  easily  led  astray  by  spe- 
cious appearances,  but  preferred  the  sure  advant- 
ages of  experience  to  the  uncertain  hopes  of  novelty 


ItlGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAIiT.  385 

and  innovation.    He  therefore  regarded  this  scheme 
with  a  scrutinizing  eye,  and  when  he  had  surveyed  it 
in  all  its  tendencies  and  probable  results,  and  was 
satisfied  of  its  inexpediency,  he  communicated  his 
opinions  to  the  clergyman  by  whom  it  was  originally 
proposed,  with  the  earnest  desire  that  it  might  be 
abandoned.     After  a  kind  discussion  of  the  subject 
between  them,  the  Bishop  entertained  the  hope  that 
there  would  be  an  end  of  the  matter,    and  the  un- 
doubted conviction  that  it  would  not  be  finally  re- 
solved on  without  further  communication  with  him. 
In  this,  however,  his  frank  and  confiding  nature 
misled  him.*    The  Bishop  soon  learned  that  a  meet- 
ing of  several  of  the  clergy  had  been  called,  with  a 
view  of  organizing  the  plan.     He  immediately  re- 
solved on  seeing  two  of  them,  and  stated  eartiestly 
and  solicitously,  but  with  as  much  mildness  as  was 
in  his  power,  the  reasons  which  convinced  him  that^ 
laudable  as  was  their  object,  the  plan  which  they 
proposed  for  accomplishing  it  was  inexpedient  and 
unnecessary.     A  statement  nearly  similar  was  also 
made  on  a  different  occasion,  in  a  spirit  of  frankness 
and  kindness,  to  another  of  the  clergymen  who  took 
the  lead  in  the  measure.     But  notwithstandinsr  all 
these  conciliatory  and  precautionary  measures,  not- 
withstanding his  objections,  his  wishes,  and  almost 
his  solicitations,  he  found  that  his  endeavours  were 
unavailing.   The  association  was  organized.    Eifurts 
were  made  to  extend  it.     It  was  publicly  announced 

*  Something  must  have  been  said,  probably  in  a  courteous  way, 
and  with  a  view  of  getting  rid  of  the  subject,  which  admitted  of  this 
inference,  though  it  might  not  have  been  so  thought  nor  intended 
on  the  part  of  the  speaker. 

49 


386  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFIi  OF  THE 

and  applauded  in  a  religious  paper,  without  any 
authority  indeed  on  the  part  of  the  society,  but  at 
the  same  time  without  any  expression  of  displeasure 
at  the  publicity  which  was  given  to  it. 

Under  these  circumstances,  what  was  the  Bishop 
to  dol  Was  it  to  be  expected  that  he  who  never 
shrunk  from  the  discharge  of  his  duty  on  account  of 
the  consequences,  who  had  struggled  through  his 
whole  life  with  difficulties,  and  overcome  them,  whose 
spirit  always  rose  up  to  the  emergency  and  prepared 
him  to  meet  it  with  firmness  and  vigour,  was  to 
sink  down  on  this  occasion  in  timidity  and  silence'? 
Such,  however,  in  contradiction  to  his  well  known 
character,  appears  to  have  been  the  conclusion  of 
those  by  whom  his  wishes  were  opposed  ;  and  such, 
indeed,  would  have  been  the  conduct  of  an  ordinary 
man :  for  it  was  a  most  delicate  and  critical  con- 
juncture. He  was  called  upon  to  express  his  dis- 
approbation of  the  course  which  had  been  pursued 
by  some  of  the  most  popular  and  influential  of  his 
presbyters,  for  whom  he  entertained  a  sincere  es- 
teem. He  was  to  act  in  opposition  to  a  scheme 
which,  having  for  its  avowed  object  the  promotion 
of  their  personal  piety  and  ministerial  usefulness, 
would  seem  to  those  who  only  looked  at  the  surface 
of  things,  without  considering  all  their  bearings  and 
consequences,  worthy  of  the  highest  approbation  and 
praise.  He  saw  that  his  conduct  would  be  liable  to 
misconstruction  on  the  part  of  those  honest  and 
sincere  persons  who  would  not  give  themselves  the 
trouble  to  think,  and  to  the  perversion  of  the  self- 
righteous  and  Pharisaical,  who  would  not  view  it 
according  to  charity  and  truth.     While  contending 


RIGHT  KEV.  JOHN  HENIIY  HOBART. 


337 


for  what  be  deemed  the  best  interests  of  religion, 
he  was  aware  that  his  piety  itself  might  be  called  m 
question.  In  the  prospect,  therefore,  of  the  pam 
which  he  must  give  to  those  from  whom  he  differed, 
and  the  misconception,  odium,  and  abuse  which  he 
knew  that  he  would  draw  upon  himself,  he  might 
well  consider  the  step  which  it  was  necessary  for 
him  to  take  as  "  one  of  the  most  harassing  events 
of  a  trying  episcopate  of  eighteen  years." 

But  these  considerntions  did  not  move  him.     He 
prepared  an  exposition  of  his  conduct  and  views,  in 
the  form  of  a  Pastoral  Letter  to  the  clergy  and  laity 
of  his  diocese.     In  order  to  make  himself  still  more 
sure  of  the  propriety  of  his  course,  he  read  it  to  a 
few  of  those  friends  in  whom,  from  their  respect  for 
Ins  character,  their  admiration  of  his  policy,  and 
long-tried   attachment  to  his  person,  he  could  en- 
tirely  cpnfide,   and  who  valued  him  too    much   to 
encourage  him  in  any  measure  of  which  they  did  not 
honestly  and  cordially  approve.     They  all  agreed^ 
in  opinion,   that  the  pu^)licalion  of  the  Letter  was 
due  to  himself  and  the  Church.     For  my  own  part, 
having  looked   upon  the  line  of  distinction  which 
was   about   to  be    drawn   by   this   society   between 
those  who  should  unite  with  it  and  those  who  should 
not,  as  one  which,  in  the  spirit  of  the  day,  would 
necessarily  bring  some  odium   on   the  latter,   and 
perhaps    hinder    their    usefulness,    I  not    only    re- 
garded it  with  dislike,  but  with  a  degree  of  anxiety 
and  dread.     The  conduct  of  the  Bishop,  therefore, 
m  thus  interposing  himself  as  a  shield  for  the  pro- 
tection of  others,  and  bearing  the  whole,  reproach 
iiimself,  struck  me  as  a  noble  and  magnanimous 


388  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

act ;  and  I  could  not  forbear  from  telling  him,  that 
the  course  he  was  pursuing  seemed  to  me  no  less 
generous  than  correct.  He  replied,  that  his  life  had 
been  a  scene  of  constant  agitation,  that  he  longed 
for  repose,  and  that  he  had  never  before  taken  any 
step  with  so  much  reluctance ;  but  that  his  duty 
was  plain,  and  it  must  be  done. 

I  shall  now  give  the  substance  of  the  Pastoral 
Letter.  The  Bishop  first  remarks,  that  "  a  minority 
of  the  clergy  have  thought  themselves  warranted  in 
assuming"  the  title  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Cle- 
rical Association  of  the  city  of  New- York,  "  of  which 
the  Bishop,  and  a  large  majority  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  clergy  of  the  city  are  not  members."  As 
he  ought  certainly  not  to  be  inferior  to  others  in 
solicitous  efforts  to  promote  his  own  piety,  official 
usefulness  and  edification,  as  well  as  of  the  clergy, 
he  thinks  it  essential  that  he  should  exhibit  the 
reasons  why  those  efforts  have  not  been  directed  in  - 
favour  of  an  association  whose  object  appears  so 
commendable,  but  against  it.  After  an  account  of 
his  endeavours,  which  I  have  already  related,  to 
prevent  the  organization  of  the  society,  he  proceeds 
to  state  the  arguments  which  he  then  briefly  urged 
somewhat  more  in  detail. 

"  1.  Though  every  clergyman  should  aim  at  the 
greatest  piety  and  zeal,  and  with  this  view  should 
devote  himself  habitually,  and  earnestly,  and  fer- 
vently to  private  reading,  meditation,  and  prayer, 
and  should  avail  himself  of  occasioTiaZ  opportunities 
of  counsel  and  converse  with  his  brethren ;  yet 
organized  clerical  associations  for  prayer  and  spiri- 
tual conversation,  and  expounding  of  Scripture,  have 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  389 

a  strong  tendency  to  become  the  theatres  of  spiritual 
vanity  and  ostentation,  and  of  that  peculiar  and 
artificial  language  of  religion  which  is  significantly 
denoted  by  the  term  cant;  and  than  which  there  is 
not  any  thing  more  offensive  to  the  delicacy,  sim- 
plicity, and  purity  of  genuine  piety. 

"  2.  As  in  these  associations,  excitemejit  is  the 
object,  a  more  than  ordinary  glow  of  religious  feel- 
ing, begin,  as  they  may,  in  chastened  spiritual  con- 
versation, in  a  well  ordered  prescribed  form  of 
devotion,  the  excited  fervour  of  some  at  least  will 
soon  require  conversations  more  impassioned,  and 
devotions  more  ardent.  The  heats  of  enthusiasm 
will  soon  inflame  religious  conversation,  and  ex- 
tempore prayers,  stirring  up  the  animal  passions, 
displace  the  dull  routine  of  prescribed  formularies. 
Some  may  oppose  and  strive  to  check  the  departure 
from  sobriety,  but  they  will  soon  be  set  down  as 
formalists;  and  retiring  from  a  whirlwind  which 
they  have  been  instrumental  in  exciting,  but  which 
they  cannot  control,  they  must  see  it  assailing  and 
weakening,  if  not  subverting,  those  barriers  which 
public  reason  has  established  against  private  fancy, 
and  those  provisions  which  the  wisdom  and  the  piety 
of  the  Church  have  settled  for  the  preservation  of 
Christian  unity  and  the  regulation  of  the  devotion 
of  her  members.  All  this  is  in  the  ordinary  course 
of  human  nature — all  this  is  abundantly  exhibited  in 
the  history  of  the  Church  of  England  in  the  reigns 
of  Elizabeth  and  the  first  Charles."* 

*  At  that  time,  according  to  the  account  of  Fuller,  it  was  cus- 
tomary for  "  the  ministers  of  the  same  precinct,  by  their  own 
appointment,  to  meet  at  the  principal  place  therein.     The  junior 


390  IMEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

"  At  a  much  more  recent  period,  in  the  earlier 
part  of  the  last  century,  clergymen  of  the  Church 
of  England,  with  precisely  the  same  plea  which 
is  now  urged,  the  defective  piety  and  zeal  of  the 
clergy,  formed  an  association  for  the  *  promotion  of 
personal  piety  and  for  mutual  edification,'  which 
produced  a  schism  in  that  Church,  and  led  to  the 
rejection  both  of  her  worship  and  ministry." 

divines  went  first  into  the  pulpit,  and  for  half  an  hour,  more  or  less, 
treated  upon  a  portion  of  Scripture,  formerly,  by  a  joint  agreement 
assigned  unto  him.  After  him  four  or  five  more,  observing  their 
seniority,  successively  dilated  on  the  same  text.  At  last  a  grave 
divine,  appointed  on  purpose,  made  the  closing  sermon,"  and  after- 
vi^ards  delivered  his  remarks  upon  the  discourses  of  the  rest.  "  Then 
all  was  ended,  as  it  began,  with  a  solemn  prayer,  and  at  a  public 
refection  of  those  ministers,  the  next  time  of  their  meeting  was 
appointed,  text  assigned,  preachers  were  deputed,  a  new  moderator 
elected,  or  the  old  one  continued,  and  so  all  were  dismissed." 

These  prophesyings,  as  they  were  called,  were  attended  with 
manifold  evils,  a  departure  from  the  established  ritual  of  the  Church, 
an  unbecoming  rivalry  among  the  clergy,  the  depression  of  modest 
merit  in  those  ministers  who  "  were  profitable  preachers  in  their 
private  parishes,  but  who  were  loath  to  appear  in  this  public  way, 
which  made  them  undeservedly  slighted  and  neglected  by  others ;" 
the  encouragement  of  vanity  in  many  young  men,  who  having 
"  more  boldness  than  learning,  readiness  than  solidity,  carried  away 
the  credit,  to  the  great  disheartening  of  those  of  more  age  and 
ability;"  "jarring  and  personal  reflections,"  which  often  disturbed 
the  harmony  of  this  concert  of  preachers,  impertinent  excursions 
from  their  text,  to  inveigh  against  the  discipline  and  government  of 
the  Church,"  and  various  other  inconveniences,  which  made  them 
prejudicial  to  the  ordinary  services  of  the  sanctuary  on  the  Lord's 
day,  and  to  the  interests  of  true  religion  and  virtue. 

"  It  is  to  be  observed,  that  as  these  prophesyings  were  public, 
and  those  of  the  Clerical  Association  private,  the  above  remarks  will 
not  apply  to  the  latter.  The  attentive  observer,  however,  will  not 
fail  to  see  in  how  many  respects"  they  "  are  strictly  applicable." 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  391 

"3.  Conversation  on  religious  subjects"  "  among 
clergymen,  on  the  spirit  and  the  duties  of  their 
office,"  and  "  the  various  topics  of  theology,  when 
it  takes  place  in  their  ordinary  intercourse,"  "  and 
especially  that  converse,  in  which  congenial  friends 
pour  into  each  other's  bosoms  their  thoughts  and 
their  trials,"  "  which  a  delicate  mind  would"  feel  a 
reluctance  in  exposing  more  publicly,  "  is  highly 
inspiriting,  consolatory,  and  edifying.  These  art- 
less unpremeditated  effusions,  this  'sweet  counsel,' 
these  '  words  in  season,'  *  how  good  they  are  !'  But 
send  me  to  a  meeting  organized  with  its  presiding 
officer,  its  secretary,  its  book  of  minutes,  &c.  &c.  in 
which  I  must  talk  spiritually,  in  which  I  am  to  prepare 
to  talk  spiritually,  in  which  the  emulation  may  be 
who  can  talk  most  spiritually — the  charm  is  gone  ; 
formality  takes  the  place  of  simplicity,  stateliness 
of  ease,  artificial  or  enthusiastic  fervour  of  genuine 
feeling,  the  clergyman  as  he  would  fain  others 
should  think  him  to  be,  of  the  clergyman  as  he 
really  is.  And  as  there  is  to  be  discussion — dis- 
cussion on  subjects  formally  proposed,  it  is  well  if 
a  spirit  does  not  creep  in  very  different  from  that  of 
mildness,  meekness,  and  humility — well  if  *  they 
who  are  of  like  passions  with  other  men,'  do  not 
begin  to  contend  for  victory  instead  of  truth ;  and 
to  take  the  field  as  opposing  champions  of  this  or 
that  opinion,  this  or  that  system  of  policy,  this  or 
that  minute  point  of  theological  criticism,  this  or 
that  mode  of  phraseology.  Well  will  it  be  if  what 
began  for  *  mutual  edification'  does  not  end  in 
mutual  strife.  Is  all  this  imaginary  I  A  clerical 
association  which  once  existed  in  our  own  country, 


392  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OP  THE 

would  prove  that  the  picture  here  drawn  is  taken 
from  the  life." 

"  4.  But  most  exceptionable  are  these  clerical 
associations  when  viewed  as  to  the  ease  with  which 
they  may  be  made  the  powerful  instruments  of 
intrigue,  and  engines  of  party, 

"  That  such  is  the  tendency"  or  "  design"  of  the 
present,  "  he  is  far  from  asserting."  "  But  no  fal- 
lacy is  greater  than  that  which  views  a  measure  in 
itself  independently  of  its  remote  consequences, 
and  of  its  operation  as  a  precedent,  and  which 
determines  the  character  and  tendency  of  associa- 
tions in  their  long  continued  and  changing  effects 
from  the  particular  cast  of  the  one  which  at  the 
moment  is  before  us.  What  are  the  associations 
now  under  consideration]  Bands  of  clergy  united 
by  the  strongest  ties,  those  of  spiritual  feeling  and 
religious  zeal.  Give  an  impetus  in  any  direction  to 
one  of  these  associations,  and  with  what  force  and 
efficiency  would  it  move  !  Let  the  power  that  gives 
the  impetus  be  acquired  by  one  or  more  members 
of  these  associations,  and  who  will  say  that  they  will 
not  be  made  the  instruments  of  faction,  and  the 
engines  of  party  1  And  most  to  be  dreaded  are  they, 
under  the  popular  form  in  which,  in  many  respects, 
our  Church  is  in  this  country  organized.  Our 
bishops,  various  officers  intrusted  with  important 
duties,  standing  committees,  &c.  &c."  and  deputies 
to  the  General  Convention,  "  are  elective.  When 
then  our  ecclesiastical  system  is  thus  popular  in 
its  organization,  of  how  great  importance  is  it  to 
guard  against  the  operations  of  faction  and  party 
influence  1 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  393 

"  Nor  is  the  danger  ideal,  that  these  associations 
will  travel  beyond  their  professed  designs.  The 
glory  of  God,  the  extension  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ* 
the  good  of  the  Cliurcii,  are  objects  so  momentous, 
that  they  will,  in  those  periods  of  excitement  which 
these  associations  aim  at  producing,  be  considered 
as  a  complete  justification  of  recommendations,  and 
finally  resolves  and  plans  of  various  and  probably 
conflicting  kinds. 

"  The  laity  have  cause  to  fear  the  power  of  the 
clergy  only  when  that  power  is  exercised  in  self- 
created,  irresponsible  associations.  The  legitimate  • 
Episcopal  authority  is  liable  to  most  danger  from 
the  clergy  in  these  easily  perverted  societies,  whicli 
may  soon  be  applied  to  influence  and  control  not 
only  the  Bishops,  but  the  diocesan  convention  of 
clertry  and  laity.  Counsel  which,  if  given  individually 
by  clergymen,  a  bishop  ought  to  receive  with  respect, 
and  to  consider  with  deference ;  he  would  feel  it  his 
duty  to  decline  if  it  assumed  the  imposing  and  con- 
trollinof  character  of  a  resolve  or  recommendation 
from  organized  associations,  who,  even  if  they  should 
not  encroach  on  the  powers  of  the  convention  of  tho 
diocese,  would  prove  in  this  body  dangerous  instru- 
ments of  intrigue  and  faction. 

"  5.  These  associations  for  promoting  personal 
piety  and  mutual  edification,  by  devotional  exercises 
and  religious  conversation,  &c.  will  become  not  only 
the  instruments  but  the  invidious  badges  o^ jjartij. 

"  Those  who  engage  in  them,  however  they  may 
disclaim  the  representation,  will  be  held  up  as  more 
evangelical,  more  spiritual,  more  devoted  to  their 
Master's  service,  than  those  who  do  not  avail  them- 

50 


394  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

selves  of  these  plausible  means  of  personal  piety 
and  mutual  edification.  These  latter  must  explain 
and  justify  themselves — criminations  and  recrimina- 
tions ensue — party  spirit  is  engendered — and  soon 
the  clergy  will  be  ranged  in  the  parties  of  spiritual 
and  pious,  and  secular  and  formal.  No  person  can 
doubt  that  such  must  be  the  issue,  who  attends  to 
the  principles  of  human  nature,  to  the  workings  of 
the  human  feelings,  or  to  the  facts  which  daily  pre- 
sent themselves.  Are  not  certain  bishops  and  clergy 
now  constantly  charged  with  being  bigotted,  and 
formal,  and  anti-evangelical,  because  they  resolutely 
maintain  the  distinguishing  principles  and  institu- 
tions of  their  Church,  in  opposition  to  opinions  and 
practices  which,  in  their  judgment,  would  weaken 
and  finally  subvert  both?  And  will  not  they  who, 
for  whatever  purpose,  employ  these  weapons  of 
attack,  find  a  new  and  powerful  one  in  the  charge, 
that  what  they  will  doubtless  extoll  as  a  most 
laudable  plan  of  promoting  clerical  piety  and  edifi- 
cation, is  not  only  discouraged,  but  disapproved  of 
by  a  bishop  and  many  of  his  clergy? 

"It  was  this  last  consideration  which"  the  Bishop 
"pressed  with  the  most  earnestness  on  the  valuable 
and  respectable  clergymen  whom  he  addressed, 
with  the  view  of  inducing  them  to  relinquish  the 
plan  of  a  clerical  association  in  this  city,  which  they 
had  formed.  For  admitting  that  they  could  not  see 
the  force  of  his  objections,  and  that,  in  this  proposed 
measure,  one  of  disputed  policy,  and  not  certainly 
of  conscience,  no  deference  was  due  to  the  opinions 
and  feelings  of  the  individual  who  holds  the  most 
responsible  station  in  the  diocese  ;  yet  the  contem- 


IJKJHT   REV.  JOllW   IIKIN'UY  llOBAUT.  395 

plated  association  would  certainly  occasion  divisions 
among  us,  and  become  a  new  source  of  party  spirit. 
Those  of  the  clergy  and  himself  who  did  not  join 
in  the  association,  would  appear  before  the  public 
in  the  unpleasant  light  of  not  participating  in  the 
means  which  others  of  tiieir  brethren  use  and  extoll 
for  tiie  promotion  of  personal  piety  and  mutual 
edification.  And  he,  tlierefore,  with  all  deference, 
submitted  to  them,  whether,  as  a  matter  of  peace 
and  unity,  of  delicacy  and  kindness  to  their  Bishop 
and  brethren,  inasmuch  as  it  would  not  be  pre- 
tended that  the  association  proposed  was  essential 
to  personal  piety  and  edification;  and  as  both  could 
be  promoted  by  other  modes  to  which  there  could 
be  no  possible  exception  ;  as  the  measure  therefore 
could  not  be  absolutely  necessary,  it  was  not  expe- 
dient to  relinquish  it. 

"  They  seemed  at  the  time  affected  by  the  con- 
sideration;  and  he  was  sanguine  in  the  hope  that 
they  would  be  conclusively  so.  For  thus  he  reasoned 
with  himself  Mere  men  of  the  world  engaged  in 
any  association,  would  deem  it  unkind,  if  not  inde- 
corous, to  adopt  any  measure  not  essential,  which 
was  disagreeable  to  a  respectable  portion  of  their 
associates,  and  which  might  subject  those  associates 
to  misrepresentation  and  odium.  On  Christians 
this  delicate  consideration  towards  tiieir  brethren 
in  the  family  of  the  same  divine  Lord,  is  a  duty 
much  more  obligatory.  On  the  ministers  of  Christ 
this  ready  relinquishment  of  whatever  is  not  essen- 
tial, m  deference  to  the  wishes,  the  feelings,  and 
the  characters  of  a  respectable  portion  of  their 
brethren,  and  of  him  who  is  set  over  them   in  the 


396  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

Lord,  seemed  to  him  an  imperative  act  of  delicacy, 
kindness,  and  duty,  not  permitting  a  moment's 
hesitation. 

"For  admitting  that  the  evil  would  not,"  as  he  was 
fully  persuaded  it  would,  "  very  much  overbalance 
the  good  ;  yet  in  all  plans  of  disputed  policy,  the 
decisive  question  ought  to  be — Can  we  do  without 
them,  and  thus  avoid  the  evils  which  there  is  reason 
to  fear  will  ensue  from  them "?  And  who  will  for  a 
moment  pretend  that  associations  of  the  description 
of  the  one  under  consideration,  are  essential  to  the 
personal  piety,  official  usefulness,  and  edification  of 
the  clergy?  To  suppose  so,  would  be  to  cast  a 
libel  on  the  thousands  and  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
ministers  who,  without  these  means,  have  pursued, 
as  burjimg  and  shining  lights,  their  luminous  course 
to  the  bright  day  of  heavenly  glory.  Let  a  clergyman 
in  private  read,  and  meditate  and  pray.  Above  all, 
let  him  cherish  the  spirit  of  suppVicaiion  ;  lifting  up 
at  all  times,  and  in  all  places,  unseen  and  unnoticed 
by  the  world,  but  seen  and  heard  by  his  heavenly 
Master,  his  heart  and  affections  in  prayer  for  every 
spiritual  blessing  which  he  needs  as  a  Christian  and 
as  a  minister  of  the  Lord.  In  the  social  circle  of 
his  brethren,  in  those  clerical  meetings  which  the 
various  exigencies  of  the  Church  render  necessary, 
and  in  the  more  confined  groupe  of  those  whom 
congeniality  of  temper  and  views,  or  other  circum- 
stances draw  together,  let  him  indulge,  as  opportu- 
nity offers,  in  converse  as  to  all  the  points  by  which 
he  may  be  excited  or  edified.  He  will  enjoy  suffi- 
cient means  of  personal  piety  and  edification. 

"  In  these  exercises,  which  have  been  tested  and 


KIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAUT.  397 

found  adequate  to  their  holy  end,  by  a  series  of  tlie 
most  pious  and  faithful  ministers  who,  in  successive 
ages,  have  adorned  the  Church,  there  can  be  no 
unhallowed  intrusion  of  vanity,  ostentation,  or  vain- 
glorious strife,  of  the  selfish  spirit  of  ambition,  and 
of  the  disorganizing  purposes  of  restless  faction. 
To  the  constant  and  fervent  use  of  tiiese  means  of 
promoting  personal  piety,  official  usefulness,  and 
edification,  I  would  urge  myself,  I  would  call  my 
brethren  of  the  clergy  and  laity.  Under  the  agency 
of  the  Divine  Spirit,  by  them,  in  connexion  with  the 
worship  and  ordinances  of  the  Church,  we  shall  be 
excited  and  advanced  in  the  spiritual  life;  animated 
and  strengthened  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  the  stations  in  which  God,  in  his  providence, 
has  placed  us  ;  and  finally  secure,  tlirough  the  merits 
of  our  divine  Lord,  the  great  end  of  our  calling,  the 
salvation  of  our  souls. 

"  In  these  exercises  every  clergyman  may  unex- 
ceptionabiy  and  effectually  advance  his  spiritual 
improvement.  And  therefore  he  has  no  warrant  for 
pursuing  those  means  which  are  reasonably  ob- 
noxious to  his  brethren,  or  to  those  to  whom,  in 
unessential  points,  many  considerations  suggest  the 
propriety  of  deference;  which  subject  them  to 
misapprehension  or  to  odium  ;  and  which,  however 
fraught  with  partial  good,  portend  in  their  results  a 
great  preponderance  of  evil.  '  No  man  liveth  to 
himself,'  is  a  maxim  most  applicable  to  a  minister 
of  the  Church.  He  has  brought  himself  under  many 
obligations,  and  subjected  himself  to  the  influence 
ot*  many  considerations,  which  materially  affect  his 
private  rights. 


398  WEMaiR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

"  There  is  no  reason  for  supposing-  that  there  is 
such  a  deficiency  of  piety  and  zeal  among  us  as  to 
render  necessary  these  associations.  Without  their 
aid  the  assiduous  labours  of  the  clergy  have  been 
blessed  to  the  prosperity  and  general  harmony  of 
the  diocese.  Why  run  any  hazard  of  interrupting 
this  prosperity  and  nnion  f 

The  publication  of  this  Letter  was  the  occasion 
of  great  embarrassment  and  perplexity  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Clerical  Association.  The  exposition 
of  the  means  which  the  Bishop  had  employed  to 
prevent  its  formation,  and  the  mild  and  conciliatory 
manner  in  which  his  arguments  had  been  urged — 
the  courteous,  respectful,  and  dignified  tone  of  the 
Letter  itself — the  strong  and  sagacious  views  which 
were  taken  of  the  subject — the  plausibility,  the  clear- 
ness, and  force  of  his  reasonings — the  justness  and 
pertinency  of  his  illustrations — and  the  sympathy 
which  was  felt  for  him  in  the  painful  attitude  which 
he  had  been  compelled  to  take — all  made  a  most 
powerful  impression  in  his  favour,  and  led  to  a  very 
general  disapprobation  of  the  association  itself.  It 
was  impossible  for  the  society  to  continue  without 
a  great  violation  of  delicacy,  decorum,  and  respect 
towards  the  Bishop ;  and  more  happily  for  him  than 
he  expected,  without  the  strong  and  decided  censure 
of  the  great  body  of  the  members  of  our  Cliurch. 
How  far  the  members  of  the  association  were 
influenced  by  the  latter  circumstance  in  their 
subsequent  proceedings,  or  how  far  by  feelings  of 
courtesy  and  kindness,  it  would  be  as  unbecoming 
in  me  to  give  an  opinion,  as  it  would  perhaps  be 
impossible  for  themselves  to  determine.   It  appears, 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENIiY  HOBART.  399 

however,  from  their  own  answers,  that  they  acted 
under  the  operation  of  both.  There  was  for  some 
time  a  pause,  which  left  the  issue  of  the  matter  in 
uncertainty.  From  their  attachment  to  the  scheme, 
from  the  pride  of  consistency,  and  from  the  natural 
tendency  to  defend  a  course  which  has  been  entered 
upon  deliberately,  in  whatever  light  it  might  be 
viewed  by  others,  there  was  no  doubt  a  violent 
struggle  in  their  minds  before  they  could  bring 
themselves  to  abandon  it.  Whether  it  were  to  be 
looked  upon  as  an  act  of  deference  and  submission 
to  their  ecclesiastical  head,  or  as  a  compliance  with 
public  opinion,  there  would  probably,  in  either  case, 
be  some  sense  of  humiliation  on  their  part,  though 
in  reality  had  it  been  done  frankly  and  promptly,  it 
would  have  been  regarded  by  others  as  noble  and 
honourable. 

Before  any  steps  were  taken,  the  constitution  of 
the  society  and  the  forms  of  prayers  were  published, 
accompanied  with  some  prefatory  remarks.  In 
ihem  it  was  stated,  that  the  members  of  the  asso- 
ciation "  had  supposed  that  a  small  society  of 
clergymen,  ten  in  number,  meeting  in  the  privacy  of 
their  own  houses,  for  social  intercourse,  conversa- 
tion on  missionary  and  other  religious  subjects,  and 
prayer,  would  not  excite  much  public  attention,  or 
require  any  defence  of  the  motives  and  conduct  of 
those  who  were  engaged  in  it."  They  were  anxious 
not  to  subject  themselves  to  the  charge  of  resistance 
or  disrespect  to  ecclesiastical  authority  on  the  one 
hand,  nor  on  the  other  to  relinquish  their  privilege 
of  thinking  and  acting  as  Christians  and  presbyters 
in  regard  to  points  left  free  to  individual  judgment. 


400  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

They  apprehended  little  danger,  from  the  measures 
which  they  had  adopted,  to  the  legitimate  authority 
of  the  Church,  where  tiiere  was  such  a  diversity  of 
opinion  among  themselves.  Their  association  was 
for  good  and  not  for  evil,  for  union  and  not  for 
discord  and  strife,  all  conversation  on  disputed 
points  of  Church  principle  and  'policy  having  heen 
prohibited  hj/  nintnal  consent.  They  were  convinced 
"  that  peace  and  hrotherhj  love  icere  to  he  maintained, 
not  hy  enforcing  miiformity  of  opinion  upon  points 
left  free  hy  the  Church  to  the  exercise  of  individual 
judgment,  hut  hy  a  mutual  and  generous  toleration 
of  opinion  in  regard  to  such  jjoints^ 

But  a  few  copies  of  their  constitution  and  forms 
of  prayer  had  been  published,  and  these  for  their 
own  use,  and  not  with  a  view  to  disseminate  them. 
The  mention  of  the  existence  of  their  little  asso- 
ciation in  the  Philadelphia  Recorder  had  not  been 
anticipated,  and  they  were  not  prepared  for  the 
strong  public  disapprobation  of  it  in  the  Pastoral 
Letter;  as  their  meetings  were  held  in  their  own 
houses,  and  not  in  any  public  place,  they  could 
have  wished  that  they  had  remained  unknown  and 
unnoticed,  except  by  their  Maker,  and  their  bre- 
thren who  maintained  similar  opinions  in  regard  to 
clerical  intercourse.  But  as  there  had  been  a  kind 
of  arraignment  of  them  before  the  bar  of  the  re- 
ligious community,  this  community  had  a  right  to 
know  from  themselves  on  what  grounds  the  arraign- 
ment was  made.  For  this  reason  the  constitution 
and  prayers  were  made  public,  which  before  had 
been  exclusively  designed  for  private  use. 

To  the  provisions  of  the  constitution  they  attached 


RIGHT  KEV.  JOHN   HENRY  HORART.  ^K^' 

but  little  importance,  except  as  to  that  one  of  them 
which  required  that  every  meeting  should  be  opened 
and  closed  with  a  form  of  prayer.  The  name  of 
the  association  was  adopted  without  much  con- 
sideration. It  was  not  understood  that  any  disap- 
probation had  been  expressed  of  its  object,  but 
only  of  the  manner  in  which  it  was  to  be  attained, 
through  an  organized  association.  The  society  was 
in  all  respects  as  informal  as  could  possibly  consist 
with  its  existence  as  a  society.  There  was  no 
elected  president,  no  balloting  for  members — it  was 
open  to  all.  That  an  organized  system  so  very 
feeble  might  not  afford  facilities  for  the  exercise  of 
a  refractory  spirit  towards  the  authorities  of  the 
Church,  they  were  not  prepared  to  deny.  But  if 
men  were  never  to  unite  but  in  associations  exempt 
from  this  liability,  they  must  for  ever  live  discon- 
nected, and  indulge  a  constant  and  heart-chilling 
distrust  of  each  other.  If  the  presbyters  of  the 
Church  had  no  regard  to  the  dignity  of  their  own 
character  nor  the  duty  of  Christian  love,  neither  the 
privation  of  o[)portunities  to  meet  together  in  such 
associations,  "  nor  even  a  system  founded  on  the 
example  of  some  civil  governments,  and  prohibiting 
more  than  three  from  conversing  together  at  the 
corners  of  the  streets,  would  keep  them  in  control. "^ 
They  would  not  seek  for  occasions  to  accomplish 
their  hateful  work  in  an  association  open  to  all, 
where  controversial  points  were  prohibited,  and  the 
presence  and  influence  of  God's  spirit  were  sought 
in  the  sober  use  of  forms  of  prayer. 

This  is  a  faithful  summary  of  the  defence  of  the 
society,  which  was   made  by  its   members,  but  it 

51 


402 


MEiMOIR  OF  TIIC  f.lFE  OF  TflE 


scaicfcily  touclied  npon  the  points  at  issue,  and  the 
objections  of  the  Bishop  remainer!  rn  all  their  force. 
It  not  only  failed  to  accomplish  the  purpose  of  jus- 
tifying their  course,  but  made  tlie  apology  an  aggra- 
vation of  the  offence.  For  it  indirectly  charged  the 
Bishop  witii  the  intention  of  enforcing  uniformity  of 
opinion,  by  the  influence  of  his  station,  on  points 
which  were  loft  free  to  individual  judgment,  and 
with  an  unexpected  and  indelicate  arraignment  of 
their  private  designs,  their  doings,  and  the  tenden- 
cies of  both  before  the  bar  of  the  public,  and  with 
the  desire  of  exercising  a  tyranny  like  that  which 
prevails  in  some  despotical  governments,  of  "  pro- 
hibiting more  than  three  from  conversing  together 
at  the  corners  of  the  streets."  The  indecorum,  un- 
kindness,  and  arrogance  of  this  last  intimation  were 
without  excuse,  and  excited  the  indignation  of  every 
unprejudiced  and  generous  mind.  If  such  were  the 
first  fruits  of  that  society,  whose  object  was  the  pro- 
motion of  Christian  upity  and  love,  how  completely 
did  they  verify,  in  one  respect  at  least,  the  appre- 
hensions which  were  entertained  of  its  tendency 
and  results! 

There  was  nothing  authoritative  in  the  conversa- 
tions which  the  Bishop  held  with  certain  clergymen 
before  the  formation  of  the  society.  He  represented 
ihem  as  kind,  and  courteous,  and  conciliatory;  and 
the  truth  of  his  representation  was  not  denied. 
There  was  nothing  authoritative  in  his  Pastoral 
Letter,  for  it  was  a  most  temperate  appeal  to  the 
reason  and  good  sense  of  the  people  of  his  diocese. 
He  said  nothing  more  than  any  presbyter  would 
have  been  jpstified  in  saying  to  his  brethren;  and 


rtlGHT  UEV.  JOHN   HENRY   IIOISAIIT.  403 

had  his  reasoning  been  weak  and  fallacious,  the 
charge  would  never  have  been  made,  for  the  cause 
would  certainly  have  fiilud.  But  it  was  strong  and 
decisive;  the  respect  for  his  wisdom  was  in  most 
mirds  implicit;  and  the  effect  therefore  of  the  ex- 
pression of  his  opinions,  was  to  give  such  a  direction 
to  the  public  mind  as  to  put  down  opposition,  or  to 
make  it  feeble  and  unavailing.  The  influence  of 
his  character  and  talents  was  too  apt  to  be  regarded 
as  the  mere  exercise  of  arbitrary  power. 

Bishop  Ilobart  noticed  the  prefatory  remarks. 
He  showed  that  the  society  was  not  a  retired  and 
unobtrusive  body,  which  was  fond  of  privacy  and 
quiet;  but  that  it  aimed  at  publicity,  sought  for  its 
extension,  and  i)rovided  not  only  for  the  admission 
of  any  Protestant  Episcopjd  clergyman  in  the  city 
of  New-York  or  its  vicinity,  but  for  the  invitation 
of  all  to  its  regular  meetings,  who  might  happen  to 
be  here  from  the  remotest  borders  of  our  Church. 
No  pains  were  taken  to  conceal  it,  but  many  efforts 
were  made  to  bring  it  into  notice. 

How  could  they  have  been  but  "  little  prepared" 
for  the  appearance  of  the  Pastoral  Letter!  Did 
they  think  that  they  could  "  triutnphantly  establish 
a  society,  from  which  he  predicted,  as  a  precedent, 
great  evils  would  ensue  to  the  Church,  which  he 
could  not  conscientiously  join,  and  whicii  would 
affect  his  character  and  influence,  by  subjecting  him 
to  the  charge  of  discountenancing  measures  for  the 
spiritual  improvement  of  his  clergy  ?"  did  they  think 
"  that  they  could  carry  forward  this  institution  with 
increasing  numbers  and  strength,  a  proud  trophy 
of  their  victory  over  the  counsels,  the  wishes,  the 


404  MLMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

earnest  requests  of  their  Bishop,  and  that  he  would 
be  silent  and  treacherous  to  his  vows,  which  bound 
him  to  watch  over  the  order,  purity,  and  peace  of 
Christ's  fold]" 

Little  had  they  marked  the  fearlessness  and  in- 
trepidity of  his  character,  or  much  had  they  calcu- 
lated on  the  strength  and  influence  of  their  own 
combination,  if  they  supposed  that  he  dared  not  to 
discountenance  an  institution  which  he  thought 
liable  to  great  evils,  even  though  it  appeared  under 
a  guise  so  pious  and  imposing. 

The  security  against  "  the  facilities  for  the  exer- 
cise of  a  refractory  spirit,"  which  it  was  admitted 
that  the  association  might  afford,  and  against  its 
being  "  perverted  to  the  purposes  of  party  by  de- 
signing persons,"  was  stated  to  be  "  the  dignity  of 
character  and  Christian  love"  which  should  charac- 
terize the  clergy.  But  conceding  them  in  their 
fullest  extent  to  those  who  were  then  members  of 
the  Association,  would  there  be  any  security  for  the 
uniform  continuance  of  these  qualities  in  the  persons 
who  might  afterwards  have  the  management  of  it  I 
This  liability  to  abuse,  however  great  and  injurious, 
would  be  no  argument  against  these  associations,  if 
they  were  essential ;  but  so  absurd  a  pretension 
would  not  be  advanced.  The  most  godly  ministers 
that  ever  lived  were  fitted  by  other  means  for  the 
paradise  of  God. 

Another  security  against  their  perversion  to  party 
purposes,  was  stated  to  exist  in  "  the  prohibition 
of  all  conversation  upon  disputed  points  of  Church 
principle  and  policy,  which  were  left  free  to  the 
exercise  of  individual  judgment." 


RIGHT  llEV.  JOHN  HliNllY  HOBART.  405 

But  would  not  the  very  determination  which  were 
these  points  lead  to  discussion,  which  might  end  in 
excitement  and  strife? 

Are  all  those  disputed  points  of  Church  principle 
and  policy  unimportant!  The  studied  exclusion 
of  them  would  naturally  lead  to  this  opinion;  and 
thus,  unless  this  position  be  correct,  there  would 
necessarily  be  a  growing  disregard  to  the  cause  of 
truth.  This  circumstance  constituted  in  itself  a 
cardinal  objection  to  these  associations. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  differences  of  opinion 
which  prevail  among  Churchmen  do  not  merely 
relate  to  questions  of  minor  consequence,  but  to 
many  things  which  are  respectively  deemed  by  those 
who  are  opposed  to  each  other,  of  great  and  funda- 
mental importance.  Some  of  these  respect  the  true 
views  of  Christian  doctrine ;  others,  matters  of 
Church  policy  ;  some,  the  construction  of  rubricks 
and  canons ;  others,  innovations  upon  order  and 
discipline  in  practice.  It  was  no  recommendation, 
therefore,  of  the  Clerical  Association,  which  was 
instituted  for  the  purpose  of  mutual  edification, 
that  these  things,  vvhicli  so  essentially  affected  the 
distinguishing  character  of  the  Church,  were,  by 
mutual  consent,  left  entirely  out  of  view ;  for  even 
peace  should  not  be  bought  at  so  great  a  price  as 
the  toleration  of  error,  or  the  slightest  sacrifice  of 
the  interests  of  truth. 

"  But  none,  it  is  said,  would  band  together,  in 
such  an  association,  for  the  hateful  work  of  faction, 
so  holy  in  its  objects,  and  so  guarded  in  all  its  pro- 
visions. These  are  the  very  associations  which 
^  designing  men'  would  pervert  to  the  purposes  of 


406  MEMO!  [I  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

unprincipled  faction,  and  which  even  honest  men 
would  sometimes  think  it  right  to  employ  to  promote 
what  they  considered  correct  party  views.  Asso- 
ciations expressly  and  solely  for  refractory  or  factious 
purposes  would  never  be  formed.  Faction,  espe- 
cially religious  faction, 

"  Is  a  monster  of  such  frightful  mein, 
That  to  be  hated,  needs  but  to  be  seen." 

He  did  not  impute  these  purposes  to  the  members 
of  the  Association,  but  only  meant  to  state,  that 
"  designing  persons,  with  these  views,  would  not 
find  it  expedient  to  avow  them,  but  would  choose 
an  association  with  this  fair  exterior,  which  they 
might  make  a  powerful  engine  of  their  party  de- 
signs, should  they  obtain  influence  in  it." 

Let  the  plausible  theory  of  these  associations  be 
carried  into  practice.  Let  them  branch  out  into 
different  parts  of  the  state.  Was  it  without  the 
range  of  probability,  that,  on  the  occurrence  of  a 
vacancy  in  the  Episcopate,  an  event  so  important 
and  exciting  as  the  election  of  a  bishop,  would  not 
be  brought  under  their  consideration  \  "  And  then 
let  it  be  asked — Will  the  agitations  which  that  event, 
it  is  to  be  feared  will  stir  up,  be  likely  to  be  allayed 
by  organized  bands  of  clergy  V 

"  Apart  from  this  event,  is  it  not  to  expect  more 
than  human  nature,  that  these  associations  should 
never  in  any  way  interfere  with  the  legitimate 
Episcopal  authority,  and  what  is  certainly  of  not 
less  importance,  with  the  powers  of  the  clergy  and 
laity  in  convention  1  Our  ecclesiastical  system  gives 
the  bishops,  the  clergy,  and  the  laity,  co-ordinate 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRV  HOBART.  407 

power."  Any  organized  associations  for  religious 
purposes  of  one  of  these  orders  separately  from 
the  others,  should  be  looked  upon  with  extreme 
jealousy.  "  The  laity  have  cause  to  fear  the  power 
of  the  clergy  only  when  that  power  is  exercised  in 
self-created  and  irresponsible  associations." 

In  conclusion,  the  Bishop  remarked,  that  there 
was  the  most  gratifying  evidence  that  the  sentiments 
which  he  had  expressed,  and  the  course  which  he 
had  pursued  in  this  matter,  met  with  general  and 
strong    approbation    in    the    diocese.     They    little 
knew  him  who  supposed   that,   in   defending  and 
advancing  his  own,  it  gratified  him  to  impugn  the 
policy  or  conduct  of  those  whom,   as  his  brethren, 
he    wished    to    hold    in    all    possible    esteem    and 
honour.     A  man  far  greater  than  he  could  claim  to 
be,  the  venerable  Hooker,  at  the  close  of  his  useful 
but  in  some  respects  agitated  life,  exclaimed — "I 
have  lived  to   see  that  this  world  is  made  up   of 
perturbations  !"     Who  would  court  them  "?    Bishop 
Hobart,  however,  would  be  unfit  for  his  station  if, 
when  duty  were  concerned,  he  feared  them.  "  Short- 
sighted and  treacherous  is  that  policy  which,  through 
the  dread  of  slight  temporary  evil,  and  least  of  all, 
any  personal  difficulty  or  odium,  would  endanger 
the  order  and  peace  of  the  Church,  and  ultimately 
sacrifice  her  best  and  permanent  interests." 

The  first  who  withdrew  from  the  Association  was 
the  member  by  whom  it  was  originally  projected. 
This  was  as  much  to  have  been  expected  from  the 
general  correctness  of  his  views,  as  his  temporary 
departure  from  them  had  been  a  matter  of  surprise. 
But  while  he  stated  the  reasons  for  the  change  of 


408  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

liis  course,  lie  attempted  to  justify  himself  for  its 
previous  adoption.  He  still  approved  of  the  objects 
of  the  society.  He  apprehended  none  of  the  evils 
which  were  predicted  in  the  Pastoral  Letter.  He 
neither  acknowledged  the  justness  of  its  reasonings 
nor  the  pertinency  of  its  illustrations.  But  though 
he  had  not  felt  bound  to  yield  to  the  paternal 
counsel  and  persuasions  which  were  given  by  the 
Bishop  in  his  private  character,  yet  he  could  not 
resist  his  public  official  advice. 

The  society  was  shortly  after  dissolved  by  com- 
mon consent,  not  because,  as  was  stated  by  the 
members,  there  had  been  any  alteration  in  their 
views,  but  principally  because  "  the  Pastoral  Letter 
would  be  the  means  of  preventing  several  of  their 
brethren  from  joining  with  them,  and  consequently 
of  preventing  that  general  interchange  of  sentiments 
on  religious  points,  which  was  one  prominent  object 
in  forming  the  Association."  This  act  was  accom- 
panied with  the  publication  of  a  defence  of  the 
Association.  From  the  great  length  of  this  piece, 
an  abstract  of  it  could  not  be  given  without  ex- 
tending the  present  subject  beyond  all  reasonable 
bounds.  It  was  no  doubt  deemed  satisfactory  by 
some;  but  I  think  that  it  may  be  said,  without  any 
injustice  to  those  by  whom  it  was  prepared,  that  it 
produced  no  material  change  in  the  public  mind, 
but,  on  the  contrary,  that  the  Bishop's  answer  to  it 
served  to  strengthen  the  impressions  which  had 
already  been  made. 

The  Pastoral  Letter  was  an  appeal  to  reason  and 
common  sense.  It  was  made  by  one  who  has  rarely 
been  equalled  in  judgment,  sagacity,  and  foresight. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  409 

The  arguments  were  drawn  from  the  principles  of 
our  nature,  the  common  workings  of  the   human 
mind,  and  the  observations  of  experience.    And  tlie 
only  test  of  their  justness  and  truth  was  the  prevail- 
ing sentiment  of  the  public  at  large.     When  this  is 
clear  and  decided,  it  is  but  seldom  wrong.     I  have 
never  known  a  case  where  there  was  so  little  diver- 
sity of  opinion  among  the  clergy  as  in  regard  to  the 
Pastoral  Letter.     Among  all  classes  of  our  laity, 
also,  it  met  with  marked  and  general  approbation. 
It  was  admired  by  many  in  other  denominations. 
It  commended  itself  every  where  to  the  lovers  of 
order  and  peace.     And  so  strong  was  the  sense  of 
Churchmen  in  particular  against  these  self-created 
and  irresponsible  associations,  that  we  may  venture 
to  hope  no  future  efforts  will  be  made  for  their  re- 
establishment.     Indeed,  we  are  assured  that  there 
never  will,  if  any  regard  be  paid  to  the  well  known 
opinions  and  wishes  of  him  who  is  now  over  us  in 
the  Lord,  and  who,  with  a  spirit  of  kindness  and 
conciliation  which  should  win  the  love  and  submis- 
sion of  all  his  clergy,  will  never  yield  in  matters  of 
duty  to  the  firmness  and  intrepidity  of  his  illustrious 
predecessor. 

The  remainder  of  Bishop  Hobart's  life  was  spent 
in  the  active  and  unwearied  discharge  of  his  im- 
portant duties;  but  though  it  was  full  of  usefulness, 
yet  there  was  nothing  in  it  which  seems  to  call  for 
any  especial  notice,  or  which  would  be  likely  to 
interest  the  general  reader.  From  the  rapid  growth 
of  the  Church,  his  labours  were  constantly  increas- 
ing, but  with  renewed  healtlj,  with  buoyant  spirits, 
and  greater  energy  than  ever,  both  of  body  and  mind, 

52 


410  MEfm)lR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

he  went  through  them  with  such  ease  and  cheerful- 
ness as  led  us  all  to  hope  that  they  might  long  be 
continued,  when,  in  the  inscrutable  providence  of 
God,  they  were  about  to  be  closed  for  ever.  He  left 
the  city  in  the  month  of  August,  1830,  on  his 
visitation  of  the  diocese.  The  last  occasion  on 
which  I  was  with  him  was  at  the  communion. 
How  often  and  how  fondly  docs  my  mind  revert  to 
that  hallowed  hour!  How  little  did  I  think  that  I 
should  see  him  no  more,  until  the  eternal  supper 
of  the  Lamb! 

In  the  early  part  of  September  J  received  a  letter 
from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Rudd,  informing  me  that  the 
Bishop  was  ill  at  his  house,  and  requesting  that 
either  his  son,  Dr.  Hobart,  or  myself,  would  come 
immediately  to  Auburn.  It  was  thought  that  there 
was  nothing  alarming  in  his  case,  and  that  he  was 
even  in  a  state  of  convalescence.  His  son,  how- 
ever, aware  of  the  insidious  nature  of  the  autumnal 
fevers  in  that  part  of  the  state,  was  not  without  a 
degree  of  apprehension,  and  pursued  his  journey 
with  the  utmost  haste.  The  accounts  continued  to 
be  encouraging  for  a  day  or  two,  but  as  soon  as  it 
was  found  that  an  unfavourable  change  had  taken? 
place,  I  immediately  followed  him.  Knowing  that 
the  Bishop  had  repeatedly  recovered  from  similar 
attacks,  and  trusting  in  the  strength  of  his  constitu- 
tion, I  still  clung  to  the  hope,  that  a  life  so  dear  and 
valuable  to  us  all  might  once  more  be  spared  ;  but 
in  each  stage  of  my  journey,  with  every  successive 
rumour,  it  grew  fainter  and  fainter,  and  before  I  had 
reached  the  end  of  it,  I  met  the  messenger  of  death 
— without  the  last  look  or  parting  blessing,  which  I 


RIGHT  RKV.  JOHN  HENRY  n01$A.UT.  411 

had  been  hastening  to  receive.     Tlie  agony  of  that 
monient  can  never  be  surpassed. 

I  will  not  dwell  upon  the  circumstances  of  his 
dying  hours,  which,  though  soothed  by  filial  atten- 
tions and  the  offices  of  friendship,  were  still,  in  the 
absence  of  so  many  who  were  dear  to  him,  peculiarly 
affecting;  nor  can  any  language  express  the  pro- 
fouFid  and  universal  grief  which  was  felt  at  his 
death.  But  it  is  consolincr  to  know,  that  it  was  a 
blessed  conclusion  to  a  well-spent  life,  serene,  and 
holy,  and  happy  ;  that  it  was  marked  with  the  hu- 
mility, the  devotion,  the  faith,  and  the  hope  of  the 
saints,  whose  death  is  jjrccious  in  the  sight  of  the 
Lord;  and  that  the  Church  which  he  so  long 
edified  by  his  labours,  has  still  reason  to  rejoice 
in  their  consummation  at  his  bright-  and  glorious 
example.* 


*  There  were  two  instances  of  delicate  attention  to  the  feelings 
•of  others  in  Bishop  Ilobart's  last  illness,  which  excited  the  deepest 
emotions  in  the  persons  towards  whom  they  were  shown,  and  which 
cannot  fail  to  heighten  the  admiration  of  that  kindness  of  heart  which 
enthroned  him  in  the  affections  of  thousands.  The  first  was  a  letter 
of  condolence  to  George  Griffin,  Esq.  on  the  death  of  his  son,  the 
•Rev.  Edmund  D.  Griffin,  whose  ripe  scholarship  and  rare  attainments, 
even  in  youth,  gave  the  promise  of  the  highest  literary  eminence  in 
after  years,  and  of  the  greatest  usefulness  in  the  Church,  to  whose 
service  he  had  just  consecrated  his  extraordinary  gifts. 

"  Auburn,  Sept.  3,  1830. 
"  Mr  DEAR  Sir, 

"  I  cannot  resist  the  impulse  of  my  feelings,  deeply  to  sympathize 
with  you  in  the  most  unexpected  and  severe  dispensation  of  God's 
providence,  which  has  removed  from  you,  by  death,  your  most 
excellent  son.     It  was  n  severe  stroke  to  me^  for  I  cherished  the 


412  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

Bishop  Hobart  died  in  the  fifty-fifth  year  of  his 
age,  leaving  behind  him  a  widow,  three  sons,  and 
four  daughters.*  His  remains  were  brought  from 
Auburn,  and  deposited  beneath  the  chancel  of 
Trinity  Church.  In  a  recess  behind  it,  a  large  and 
splendid  monument  has  been  erected  to  his  memory, 
which  is  beautifully  and  tastefully  adorned,  in  basso 
relievo,  with  an  emblematical  representation  of  the 

sincerest  regard  for  him,  and  looked  forward  with  high  satisfaction 
to  the  distinguished  usefulness  and  reputation  to  which  his  eminent 
talents,  attainments,  and  virtues,  would  raise  him  in  future  life.  But 
what  are  my  feelings  compared  with  yours  ?  Wliat  can  we  say,  but 
that  '  God's  will  be  donel'  Faith  in  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of 
all  his  dispensations,  however  dark  or  afflictive,  will  allay  the  pangs 
of  nature,  and  Christian  hope  opens  that  blessed  state  to  which 
your  departed  son  will  be  admitted  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just, 
and  where  it  should  be  our  prayer  and  our  aim  that  we  may  join 
him  before  the  throne  of  God,  never  to  be  separated. 

*'  I  wifite  in  the  hurry  of  a  journey.  Accept,  my  dear  Sir,  my 
most  sincere  condolence  for  yourself  and  your  family, 

"  And  believe  me 

"  Most  truly  yourg, 

"  J.  H.  HOBART." 

Tho  second  instance  was  a  special  message  to  his  early  friend 
and  revered  guide,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  renewing  the 
assurances  of  the  respect,  the  affection,  and  veneration  which  he 
entertained  for  his  character  ;  and  enjoining  it  on  one  of  his  attend- 
ants, almost  with  his  dying  breath,  that  he  should  deliver  it  in  person. 
It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  remark,  that  a  request  so  sacred  met 
with  a  prompt  and  literal  compliance,  or  to  describe  with  what 
tenderness  and  gratitude  the  message  was  received. 

*  The  eldest  of  these  has  since  died,  Jane  Chandler  Hobart,  who, 
by  the  gentleness  of  her  character,  the  simplicity  of  her  manners,  the 
sweetness  of  her  temper,  and  her  deep  and  unaffected  piety,  was 
greatly  endeared  to  her  family  and  friends. 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENKY  HOBART.  413 

hopes  and  consolations  of  religion,*  on  which  there 
is  the  following  inscription  : — 

Beneath  this  Chancel  rest  the  Mortal  Remains  of 

JOHN  HENRY  HOBART, 

Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  in  this  City, 

Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  State  of 

New- York ; 

Born  in  Philadelphia,  September  xiv,  mdcclxxv, 

Died,    during  a  Visitation   to   the   Western   Parts   of  his 

Diocess,  in  Auburn,  September  xii,  niDCCCXXX. 
The  Vestry,  in  Behalf  of  the  associated  Congregations  of 

Trinity  Church, 

Have  caused  this  Monument  to  be  erected 

In  Memory  of  the  Public  Services,  Private  Virtues,  and 

Christian  Graces  of  their  beloved  and  lamented 

PASTOR ; 

In  Testimony  of  their  Respect  for  the  Wisdom,  Energy, 

and  Piety  of  their  revered 

DIOCESAN; 

In  Honour  of  the  faithful  and  valiant 

"  SOLDIER  OF  CHRIST," 

Who,  on  all  Occasions,  stood  forth  the  able  and  intrepid 

CHAMPION  OF  THE  CHURCH  OF  GOD. 

In  concluding  the  life  of  Bishop  Hobart,  it  lias 
appeared  to  me  that  it  might  not  be  uninteresting 
to  give  a  summary  view  of  his  character.  There 
will  doubtless  be  the  risk  of  wearying  the  reader  by 
an  unavoidable  repetition  of  what  is  already  suffici- 
ently familiar ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  it  may  afford 

*  Designed  and  executed  by  Mr.  Ball  Hughes,  a  young  sculptor  of 
genius  and  talent,  who,  in  this  work,  as  well  as  others,  has  already 
given  the  earnest  of  great  eminence  in  his  profession. 


414  WEMOm  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

an  opportunity  of  touching  upon  some  points  which 
have  not  been  embodied  in  the  narrative  itself. 

His  chihlhood  and  youth  presented  a  rare  assem- 
blage of  the  most  engaging  qualities  of  heart  and 
mind,  wiiich  were  the  sure  presages  of  eminence 
and  respect  in  after  life. 

Modesty,  ingenuousness,  purity  of  thought,  and 
blamelessncss   of  manners,    secured    for    him    the 
esteem  and  aflection  of  all  tliose  early  companions 
whose  friendship  he  valued,  and  screened  him  from 
the  malevolence  and  censure  of  those  whose  society 
he  shunned.     His  industry  in  all   his  studies,   his 
ambition  to  outstrip  his  competitors,  and  his  uniform 
success,  his  acknowledged  superiority,  and  the  open 
approbation  of  his  teachers,  appear  neither  to  have 
excited   the  ill-will  and  dislike  of  those  whom  he 
humbled  by  his  proficiency,  nor  to  have  provoked 
the  jealousy  of  those  with  whom  the  contest  was 
more  keenly  maintained.     In  fact,  with  the  innate 
consciousness  of  genius,  he  concealed  the  marks  of 
triumph,  which    it  cost    him    but   little   labour   to 
achieve;  and  bearing  his  faculties  meekly,  he  was 
the  favourite  of  his  school,  the  idol  at  college,  and 
the  oracle  of  every  society  with  which  he  was  con- 
nected.   In  the  sports  of  childhood,  or  in  the  recre- 
ations of  youth,  he  mingled  with  his  companions  on 
a  common  footing,  assuming  no  consequence,  and 
expecting  no  deference  ;   but  with  all  the  ease,  and 
freedom,    and    sprightliness   of  his    character,    he 
entered  into  the  mood  of  the  moment,  and   con- 
tributed his  full  share  towards  their  innocent  en- 
joyments.    Indeed,   there  seems    to  have   been  a 
charm  in  his  manners  and  conversation,  which  was 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART.  415 

almost  like  fascination,  for  no  one  in  early  life 
ever  inspired  friendship  more  readily,  or  was  more 
happy  in  retaining  the  regards  which  he  had  once 
secured. 

But  in  those  deeper  affections  of  the  heart,  in  those 
dear  and  kindly  feelings  which  centre  in  home, 
how  amiably  and  engagingly  did  he  always  appear! 
What  a  tender  love  do  all  his  letters  breathe  for  the 
fond  and  anxious  mother  who  sacrificed  so  much  of 
her  personal  ease,  her  comfort,  and  enjoyment,  for 
his  education  and  advancement  in  life!  How  cheer- 
fully did  he  abandon  his  literary  pursuits  and  his 
flattering  hopes,  when  her  interests  required  it,  to 
engage  in  a  vocation  which  was  repugnant  to  his 
taste,  his  habits,  and  all  his  predilections!  And  how 
readily  again,  after  his  entrance  upon  the  ministry, 
did  he  accommodate  himself  to  the  wishes  of  his 
friends,  in  the  choice  of  a  settlement,  though  in 
opposition  to  his  favourite  plans! 

From  the  active  part  and  lively  interest  which,  at 
a  later  period,  he  always  took  in  the  business  of  life ; 
from  his  practical  wisdom,  and  profound  views,  and 
politick  measures,  which  are  more  frequently  seen 
in  men  of  the  world  than  in  his  retired  and  contem- 
plative profession  ;  from  his  zeal  for  the  polity,  dis- 
cipline, and  outward  order  of  the  Church  ;  and  from 
his  utter  abhorrence  of  enthusiasm,  cant,  and  every 
species  of  religious  ostentation;  there  were  some 
who  entertained  doubts  of  his  personal  piety,  or  who 
at  least  regarded  it  as  too  much  blended  with 
worldly  motives  and  worldly  views.  How  strong  a 
presumption  is  furnished  against  this  uncharitable 
opinion  by  his  delightful  and  ingenuous  correspond- 


416  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

ence  with  his  early  friends !  There  his  devout 
thoughts  and  feelings  were  exposed  with  the  same 
simplicity  and  freedom  as  they  were  poured  out  be- 
fore God.  And  who  can  read  these  letters — who 
can  observe  tiie  steadfastness  of  his  faith  in  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  depth  of  his  humility,  the 
tenderness  of  his  conscience,  and  the  effusions  of 
his  sorrow  at  the  recollection  of  his  faults,  and  not 
look  upon  his  youth  as  a  pure  and  acceptable  offer- 
ing unto  Godl  With  what  elevated  views  did  he 
regard  the  ministry!  With  what  holy  intentions, 
and  resolutions,  and  prayers,  and  with  what  a 
trembling  anxiety  did  he  enter  upon  the  duties  of 
the  sacred  office,  feeling  that  of  himself  he  was  not 
sufficient  for  these  things,  but  still  encouraged  by 
the  persuasion  that  his  weakness  would  be  made 
perfect  in  the  divine  strength,  and  that  his  sufficienci/ 
was  of  God! 

In  every  stage  of  his  ministerial  course  we  follow 
him  with  admiration  and  delight;  we  find  him  always 
active,  useful,  and  beloved — throwing  his  whole  heart 
and  soul  into  his  duties — sparing  himself  in  nothing, 
but  running  beyond  the  strict  measure  of  his  engage- 
ments— calling  forth  the  energies  of  his  restless  and 
powerful  mind  in  every  public  labour  or  plan  which 
might  contribute  to  the  interests  of  the  Church  and 
to  the  glory  of  God.  While  he  thus  rendered  him- 
self, in  the  earlier  years  of  his  ministry,  a  general 
favourite,  and  enjoyed  an  almost  unbounded  popu- 
larity, he  was  not  corrupted  by  adulation.  No  man 
whom  I  ever  knew  had  a  heart  more  open  to  all 
human  sympathies,  nor  valued  more  highly  well- 
merited  praise ;  but  with  him  it  was  rather  a  stimulus 


niGIIT  ItEV.  JOHN  HENRY  HOBAUT. 


417 


to   laudable  exertions  than   an   encouragement  to 
vain-glory  and  pride. 

It  was  not  in  the  course,  however,  of  human  things, 
that  he  should  escape  the  obloquy  and  censure  which 
are  the  uniform  attendants  of  eminence  and  worth. 
When,  from  his  long  and  useful  labours,  and  his  ex- 
traordinary gifts,  the  eyes  of  the  Church  were  fixed 
upon  him  as  the  person  who  was  peculiarly  fitted  to 
direct  her  councils  and  to  advance  her  growth,  he 
was  assailed  with  unmeasured  abuse,  and  his  exal- 
tation was  ushered  in  with  every  evil  omen  of 
tyranny,  misrule,  and  wo.  He  soon  passed  through 
this  eclipse,  and  emerged  from  it  with  a  brightness 
which  continued  to  increase  till  his  career  was 
closed. 

The  ardour  of  the  Bishop's  feelings,  "  that  sacred 
fire  which  is  the  incentive  to  noble  deeds,"  urged 
him  on  with  the  greatest  devotedness  and  zeal  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duties,   and  sustained  him  in 
his  unexampled  labours.     But  the  same  sanguine 
complexion   also  hurried  him  at  times  into  those 
sallies  of  impatience,  those  unguarded  expressions 
and  sudden  starts  of  temper,  which  gave  an  advant- 
age to  his  enemies,  and  momentary  pain  even  to 
his   friends.     They  were,   however,   mere  passing 
clouds,  and  in  an  instant  all  again  was  bright  and 
serene.    It  was  not  in  him  to  hate  the  person  whom 
he  had  offended,  nor  to  irritate  the  wounds  which 
he  had  given.    He  hastened  at  once  to  make  atone- 
ment,   and    no  noble   mind   could   ever  resist  the 
frankness  of  his  apology,  nor  the  overflowings  of 
his  returning  kindness.    His  very  infirmities,  there- 
fore, cave  occasion  for  the  display  of  a  magnanimity, 

53 


418  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

which    heigthened    the  admiration   of  his    general 
worth. 

There  was  something  wonderfully  winning  and 
attractive  in  the  social  character  of  the  Bishop, 
and  even  in  the  peculiar  cast  of  his  manners.  He 
seemed  formed  for  the  enjoyment  of  society,  and 
the  delights  of  friendship.  Ardent  in  his  feelings, 
frank  and  undisguised  in  the  expression  of  them, 
generous,  affectionate,  and  confiding,  he  captivated 
all  hearts,  and  bound  those  to  him  who  were  of 
congenial  taste  and  temper,  as  with  links  of  iron. 
His  manners  were  in  harmony  with  his  dispositions, 
full  of  freedom,  cordiality,  and  warmth.  No  one 
who  has  seen  him,  though  but  for  a  moment,  will 
ever  forget  the  benignant  and  playful  expression  of 
his  countenance,  the  heartiness  of  his  greeting,  his 
words  of  kindness  and  good  will.  But  to  those 
who  communed  with  him  as  friends,  who  saw  him 
in  the  lighter  moods  of  social  festivity,  or  in  the 
graver  moments  of  deep  and  tender  feeling,  who 
remember  the  charms  of  his  conversation,  the  en- 
dearments of  his  friendship,  his  wise  and  wholesome 
counsels,  his  acts  of  sympathy  and  kindness — to 
those  his  image  is  ever  arising  with  all  the  dear, 
departed  joys  of  which  it  reminds  them,  and  with  a 
sense  of  dreariness  and  vacancy  which  nothing  else 
on  earth  can  fill. 

In  the  bosom  of  his  family  all  the  perturbations 
of  his  busy  life  were  calmed,  and  there,  at  least,  he 
found  a  temporary  relief  from  the  cares  and  anxieties 
with  which  he  was  constantly  harassed.  But  even 
this  respite  was  comparatively  sliort.  for  he  exercised 
an  unbounded  hospitality;  and  while  he  was  in  the 


RIGHT  IlEV.  JOHN  ilEI^UY  HOBAUT.  419 

city,  he  was  scarcely  ever  alone.  Ho  did  not,  how- 
ever, suffer  the  interruptions  of  company  to  interfere 
in  any  material  degree  witii  his  domestic  enjoyments, 
but  treated  his  guests  with  all  the  familiarity  of 
friends.  It  was  to  him  a  happy  liome  ;  blessed  with 
,a  companion  who,  from  a  sense  of  duty  as  well  as 
the  ijnpulse  of  love,  was  ever  watchful  to  gratify  his 
wishes,  regardless  of  her  own,  and  to  adorn,  in  every 
respect,  the  relations  which  she  sustained,  and  made 
still  happier  by  the  dutifulness,  afiection,  piety,  and 
worth  of  his  children,  who  were  to  him,  in  every 
sense,  as  an  heritage  and  gift  that  cometh  of  the 
Lord.  Here  the  dignity,  the  watchfulness,  the  cau- 
tion, and  restless  anxiety  of  the  Bishop,  were  com- 
pletely lost  in  the  free  and  unfettered  feelings  of 
the  man ;  they  were  poured  out  in  all  the  fulness  of 
his  overflowing  heart.  Every  thing  was  an  object 
of  interest  to  him ;  the  studies  of  the  younger 
members  of  his  family,  the  occupations  and  amuse- 
ments of  ihose  who  were  older,  the  rambling  and 
discursive  conversation,  the  innocent  gaiety,  and 
harmless  merriment  of  all.  He  was  himself  as  play- 
ful as  a  child,  but  in  a  moment  could  resume  all  the 
seriousness  and  dignity  which  became  him,  when 
the  conversation  called  for  a  different  turn,  or  the 
performance  of  solemn  duties  required  the  feelings 
to  be  directed  into  another  channel. 

The  Bishop's  colloquial  powers  were  marked  by 
promptness,  ease,  pertinency,  and  good  sense  ;  but 
it  was  neither  his  turn  nor  his  ambition  to  say  pithy 
things,  which  might  strike  the  hearers ;  to  display 
the  extent  of  his  reading  or  the  depth  of  his  erudi- 
tion; and  though  he  occasionally  indulged  in  sallies 


420  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

of  humour  and  sprightly  repartee,  yet  his  conversa- 
tion was  not  distinguished  by  felicitous  allusions 
nor  pungent  wit.  It  always  took  its  character  easily 
and  naturally  from  the  cast  of  the  company  in  which 
he  might  be  placed,  and  the  varying  circumstances 
by  which  it  might  be  suggested.  But  in  one  respect 
it  surpassed  that  of  any  person  with  whom  I  have 
ever  been  acquainted.  In  the  discussion  of  any 
knotty  and  disputed  point  in  theology,  or  question 
of  Church  policy,  or  any  other  perplexing  subject 
to  which  his  attention  had  been  directed,  it  seemed 
as  if  the  sluices  of  his  mind  were  opened,  and  as  if 
his  tongue  could  scarcely  keep  pace  with  his 
thoughts.  His  ingenuity  was  sharpened  in  propor- 
tion to  the  keenness  of  his  adversary.  His  watchful 
eye  ranged  over  the  whole  scope  of  the  argument. 
He  detected  in  a  moment  any  flaw  in  the  reasoning, 
or  any  sophism  in  the  illustrations,  and  pointed  out 
immediately  the  inconclusiveness  of  the  one  or  the 
fallacy  of  the  other.  He  was  singularly  happy  in  the 
application  of  particular  cases  to  illustrate  and 
support  the  general  principles  which  he  himself 
was  attempting  to  establish,  and  in  repelling  the 
objections  of  others.  But  it  must  be  acknowledged 
that  he  did  not  in  his  impetuosity  allow  a  due  ad- 
vantage to  men  of  slower  minds,  but  would  often 
entangle  and  overwhelm  them  in  the  mere  hurry  of 
the  argument;  and  that  sometimes  in  the  desire  of 
victory,  he  was  unwilling  to  yield  even  under 
apparent  disadvantages,  and  continued  to  contend 
for  points  with  great  ingenuity  and  skill,  which  to 
others  ai  least  seemed  weak  and  indefensible. 
But  there  was  one  trait  in  his  character  which 


RIGHT  UEV.  JOHN  HENKY  HOBART.  421 

shines  out  with  peculiar  gh^ry  :    it  was   his  moral 
courage.     Nervous  in  the  temperament  of  liis  body, 
his  mind  was  as  firm   as  a  rock.     He  feared   none 
but  God.     It  was  tljis  which  marked   his  course  in 
the  Church  with  a  track  of  light  which,   we  trust, 
will  grow  brighter   and   brighter  unto   the   perfect 
day.     He   saw  the   true    grounds   upon  which   the 
Church    rested,   and   he   had    firmness    enough    to 
avow  his  opinions  without  qualification  or  disguise. 
He  saw  the  true  policy  by  which  she  was  to  be  sus- 
tained,  and    he   pursued   it   without   regard  to  the 
anxious   fears   of  her  temporizing  friends,   or   the 
clamours  of  her  secret  or  open  foes.     He   kept  the 
principles    of  apostolic    order    in    connexion    with 
evangelical   truth    perpetually    in   view,    explaining 
them  in  his  writings,  inculcating  lliein  in  his  dis- 
courses,  enforcing  them    in    his   conversation,    uiid 
fortifying   them    by   a   steady   and   unalterable    ad- 
herence in  practice.     He  pressed  upon  his  people 
the   uncompromising   and   exclusive  claims  of  the 
Church,  and  left  the  consequences  of  their  rejection 
to  others,  not  without  pity  indeed  for  their  errors, 
nor  charity  for  their  motives,  but  with  a  desire  that 
was  stronger  than  any  other  feeling,  that  all  should 
come  to  the  knowledge  of  what  he  deemed  the  truth. 
In    contending    for    Episcopacy    as    the    primitive 
pattern  of  the  Church  and  the  appointment  of  God, 
in  enforcing  her  order  and  discipline,  in  guarding 
against    all   direct  violation  of  her   principles   and 
usages,    and   discouraging   all   amalgamation    with 
other  denominations  for  religious  purposes,  which 
might  even  remotely  endanger  the  interests  of  truth, 
it  is  almost  Incredible  to  relate  with  what  contumely, 


422  MEMOIR  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE 

f^corii,  and  reproach  ho  was  assailed,  from  the  very 
outset  of  his  course  till  its  triumphant  close.  But 
tione  of  these  thinfrs  moved  him.  He  lived  Ions: 
enough  lo  see  what,  in  the  beginning,  he  was  con- 
vinced of,  that  a  just  cause,  when  manfully  defended, 
would  never  want  supporters;  that  truth  would 
gradually  pr(;vail  over  prejudice  and  error;  and  that 
a  bold  and  honest  policy  would  be  ultimately 
crowned  with  success.  The  impress  of  his  mind 
was  stamped  upon  thousands;  a  new  tone  was 
given  to  the  Church  at  large ;  and  we  may  con- 
fidently hope,  that  his  opinions  will  be  extended, 
and  his  labours  be  blessed  for  generations  to 
come. 

God  in  his  providence  seemed  to  have  endued 
him  with  all  the  qualities,  both  mental  and  physical, 
which  fitted  him  for  his  exalted  station,  and  which, 
in  a  spirit  of  piety  and  faith,  he  consecrated  entirely 
to  his  service  ;  quickness  of  perception,  vigour  and 
manliness  of  thought,  the  most  tenacious  memory 
in  connexion  with  the  soundest  judgtnent,  a  keen 
and  almost  unerring  penetration  into  the  character 
of  others,  and  very  often  a  remarkable  ascendency 
over  their  conduct,  promptness  in  action,  wisdom  in 
counsel,  skill  and  eloquence  in  debate  ;  an  energy 
of  character  which  nothing  could  repress;  an  ac- 
tivity of  mind  and  body  which  was  never  suspended ; 
a  perseverance  which  rested  only  when  its  object 
was  attained ;  a  noble  and  insatiable  desire  of  doing 
things  more  excellent  than  those  which  he  had  already 
accomplished.  Oh!  had  his  life  been  spared  to  the 
term  which  is  so  often  meted  out  to  others,  how 
completely  and  gloriously  would  it  have  been  filled  ! 


RIGHT  REV.  JOHN  HENRY  HORART.  425 

But  God's  will  must  be  done,  and  man's  duly  is 
silence  and  submission.  Let  this  sentiment  be  our.-', 
which  he  himself  so  devoutly  expressed  on  the  bed 
of  death. 


THE  END. 


.) 


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